I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS J 

# ^ 

I ^_ ]^U^ I 

f UNITED STATES OP AMERICA, f 



i 



SERMO 




ADDRESSES^ AND LETTERS. ^^,^^ 



SELECTED FROM THE WRITINGS 



OF THE LATE 



w 



REV ISAAC STOCKTON kEITH, DD. 

ajJE OF THE MINISTERS OT THE INDEPENDENT OR CONGREGA- 
TIONAL CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, S. C, 



TO WHICH /RE PREFIXED; 



AN ENGRAVED PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR, 

A BRIEF SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, 



AND THE 



SERMON PREACHED ON IHE OCCASION OE HIS DEATH. 



BY REV. ANDREW FLINN, D.D. 



THiE HEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED, 

SOLOMON. 



CHARLESTOWN : 

PRINTED :BX S. ETHERIDGE, JR. 

1816. 







\ -\^^ 



CONTENTS. 



TAGE. 

Preface . . . ^ 

Biographical Sketch - - -9 

Funeral sermon on the death of Dr. Keith, by Dr. Flinn - 23 

Inauguration sermon - - - 49 

Sermon on the death of General Washinglon - - 73 

Charge at the ordination of Rev. James Adams - - 103 

Address delivered at the Orphan House in Charleston - 129 
Sermon at the opening of the circular church, in Meeting-street, 

Charleston - - - 159 

Addres': t'elivered at a -weekly meeting - . 195 



LETTERS. 
To Miss N. R. 



Mr. 

Rev. Dr S. 
Rev. Dr. G. 
Mrs. K. 



Rev. Dr. G. 

Mr, and Mi's. 
Rev. Dr. G. 
Dr. F. 



His sister 
Dr.F. 
The same 
Kev. Mr. P. 



204 
2U 
219 

221 



22r 

Thomas Bennett, Esq. on John's Island . 230 

Rev. Dr. Sproat - . . 232 

V Miss O. Sproat -• - , 235 



240 
250 
257 
263 
2G5 
269 
276 
280 
£8-1 



IV CONTENTS. 

To Dr. F. - . - 288 

Rev. Mr. P, - - - 293 

Dr.]'. c - - 296 

The same - - - SOO 

The same - - - 303 

Mrs. S. W. - - - 310 



., - - 319 

Mis. W. - - - 325 
The Committee of the church in the first Society in Farmington 338 

Mrs W. - - - 343 

Mrs* B. of B-— 1 - - 350 

Dr. F. - - - 359 

The sarae . „ _ 353 

Mrs. W. - - - 368 

The same - - - 378 

The same, on the death of her son - - 385 

Dr. F. - - - 389 

The same = - . 392 

Mr J. S. - - - 395 

Rev. Dr. M. - - - 403 

Mrs. H. - - .412 

Rev. Dr. M. - - - 421 

Rev. Mr. P. - - - 424 

Rev. Dr. S. , - - - 427 

The President of the Congregational Society - 433 

Dr. E. S. - - . 440 



PPvEFACE 



This volume is designed as a memorial of departed 
worth. It appears under disadvantages common to all 
posthumous works. The Sermons and Addresses, 
with one or two excepiions, were prepared by the Au- 
thor for the press. The rest of the volume, consisting 
of selections from his numerous letters to his friends, 
are the effusions of a pious and affectionate heart, and 
penned either for their comfort, instruction, or gratifi- 
cation, without the remotest idea of their ever appear- 
ing before the public. The Editors have found the 
task of selection, in these circuoiatances, both delicate 
and difficult ; delicate, lest we vihoisld encroach on the 
sanctuary of private friendship ; difficult, on account 
of the great mass of letters before us, from which the 
selection has been made. Our difficiilfy has arisen, 
not from a deficiency, but from a redundancy, of valua- 
ble materials. We have used oar best judgment in 
making this compilation, from the writings of one of the 
best of men, and of ministers, and submit it to the can- 
dour of its readers, and the blessing of God. 



VI PREFACE. 

Though this volume is published more especially (o 
gratify the numerous friends of Dr. Keith, and to them 
we are sure it will be very precious ; yet, we doubt 
not, it will prove a useful and valued work to many 
others also, and remain a monument of the affeclionate 
piety, christian charity and meekness, respectable tal- 
ents and acquirements, and ministerial fidelity of its 
Author, to the latest generation. 

We close our Preface with the following letter, ad- 
dressed to the widow of Dr. Keith, shortly after his 
decease, as a valuable testimonial of the high estima- 
tion in which he was held by the most respectable peo- 
ple of bis charge ; and as furnishing also a strong reason 
for the publication of this volume. 

CHARLESTON, MARCH 31, 1814. 
MRS. KEITH. 

UESPECTED MADAM, 

VV HiLE we partake in the ex- 
tensive grief, which the much lamented death of your excel- 
lent husband has excited, one source of alleviating our dis- 
tress has been opened to our minds. With your permission, 
he Avho when living faithfully fed us with the bread of 0fe, 
may, though dead, yet continue to instruct and comfort, not 
only us and our children, but multitudes who never had the 
happiness, which we enjoyed, of hearing from his lips the gra- 
cious messages of divine truth. To withhold these precious 
remains of our mvich loved Pastor from the public eye, would. 



PREFACE. 



Til 



in our opinion, be an injury to the community, as it would de- 
prive them of a source of improvement and consolation, which, 
under existing circumstances, promises to be of extensive 
utility. We therefore most earnestly request you to deliver 
over to some judicious friend, the manuscripts of your be- 
loved husband, that a selection may be made from them for 
publication. In so doing you will not only oblige us, but 
many who have never heard his voice ; and at the same time, 
carry on the good work to which his whole life was devoted^ 

We are, 

With great esteem and affection, 

Yourfriendsj 



ELIZABETH B. HATTER. 
MARY L. THOMAS. 
SUSANNA SMILIE. 



JOSIAH SMITH. 
WILLIAM ROACH. 
KINSEY BURDEN. 
NATHANIEL RUSSELL. 
THOMAS JONES. 
ADAM GILCHRIST. 
WILLIAM PAYNE, 
W. S. SMITH. 
T. FORD. 
BAVIB RAMSAY- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



KEV. DR. KEITH. 



Isaac Stockton Keitu, the subject of this 
memoir, son of William and Margaret Keith, was 
born in Newfown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Janu- 
ary 201 h, 1755. His parents were members of the 
Presbyterian church, in the place of his nativity, and 
were held in high estimation, in the circle of their ac- 
quaintance, for their piefy and virtue. They educated 
their children, (two sons and two daughters, so far as 
we can ascertain from the documents before us) with 
exemplary fidelity, taking unwearied pains to pour re- 
ligious and other useful instruction into their youthful 
minds, and to bring them up in the nurture and adn»o- 
iiition of the Lord. In the subject of this memoir, at 
a very early age, they discerned a vivacity of imagina- 
tion, a quickness of discernment, and a di»posirion and 
aptness to learn, which led them to determine, in hum- 
ble dependence on the divine blessinsc, to give him the 
advantages of a public education, wifh a view to quali- 
fy him to act in a large sphere of usefulness. Accord- 
ingly, at the age of about fourteen, he was sent to Prince- 
ton, in New Jersey, where he commenced and finished 
his classical education, under that very learned and ex- 

tellentman, Rev. Dr. John Withjbrspoon, as Pres« 
2 



10 BIOGRAPHICAI. SKETCH. 

ident of Nassau Hall, and the Proprietor and Director 
of the Grammar School, annexed to the College, and 
then taught by Mr. Nathaniel Ertvin, late minister of 
Nesharainj. Such was the diligence and success with 
which he pursued his preparatory studies, that at every 
examination he was honored wifh a premium. The 
period he spent at the Grammar School, previous to his 
admission into the College, was niuch shorter than usu- 
al. His whole course of classical education was com- 
pleted in six years, at the early age of twenty. But 
the event, which above all others distinguished the pe- 
riod of his residence at the Grammar School, and which 
laid the foundation for his future usefulness in the 
church of Christ, was his conversion. Here, as appears 
from a MS. account of the event now before the writery 
through the influence of the Holy Spirit, the eyes 
of his mind were opened ; he perceived, felt and la^ 
mented the exceeding sinfulness of his own heart and 
life ; and renouncing all dependence on any thing he 
could do to effect his own salvation, was led to rely 
wholly on the merits and mediation of a crucified Sa- 
viour. In his own time, the Lord was pleased to diffuse 
the light of his reconciled countenance into his anxious 
and humbled soul. On hearing the joyful and welcome 
intelligence of this event, his parents exclaimed, " Now 
hath the Lord answered our prayers in his tender mer- 
cies toward that son, whom we had specially dedicated 
to his service." During his whole collegiate course, 
he continued a warm hearted, active, exemplary christ- 
ian. 

Soon after he had completed his classical education^ 
in the autumn of 1775, he was invited to take charge of 
a Latin schooi^t Elizabethtown, in New Jersey, which 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 11 

he faugh! with the approbation, both of his pupils, and 
of the Trustees, But this employment I'ell short of his 
great object. He accordingly resigned the school, and 
placed himself under the care of the Rev. Robkrt 
Smith, of Lancaster County, in conformity to whose 
directions, residing at his fnther's house, he pursued 
and finished his course of theological studies, prepara- 
tory to his entrance on the work of tiie ministry. 

In the year 1778, he put,himself under the care of 
the Presbytery of Philadelphia ; and in the autumn of 
the same year, received from that body a license io 
preach the gospel. The following winter he spent in a 
preaching tour, from which h^ returned to his father's 
house in April, suffering under a sore and most pain- 
ful pleuretic ^omplaint^ which affected. his liver, and 
imminently threatened his life. After a Jong and dis- 
tressing sickness, he was relieved, though not restored 
to firm health,, in an extraordinary manner. The mat- 
ter which had collected internally, and caused his 
pain, discharged itself, in consequence of the applica- 
tion of a blister, near his shoulder blade, and his recov- 
ery immediately followed. 

In March, ITHO, having previously preached at Al- 
exandria, in Virginia, he received from the Presby*e- 
rian church and society in that place, left vacant by 
the removal of the Rev. William Thom, an affection- 
ate and unanimous call, (to which " the inhabitants of 
every denomination echoed universal consent,") to set- 
tle among them, as their pastor, " promising obedience 
to his doctrine and discipline, so far as they should be 
agreeable to the word of God." The call from this 
church he accepted, and was ordained by the Presby* 
tery of Philadelphia, with a view to his taking the pas- 



12 BIOeUAPHICAt SKETCH. 

toral charge of it. On the 30th of Maj, 1^80, he re- 
ceived his dismission from the Presbytery of Philadel- 
phia to that: of Dotmegall, who had the care of the 
church ov er wnich he had been ordained. He had pre- 
viously received a call from a church in Allentown, 
New Jersey, to which he sent a negative but affec- 
tionate answer. 

In the autumn of 1784, he was attacked by a fever, 
which weakened still more his already enfeebled constitu- 
tion. The following refleclions, after his' recovery from 
this sickness, are wor thy to be preserved. They are con- 
tained in a letter of his to his brother and sister, dated 
Alexandria, September 7, 1785, " I am not without 
hope, that these afflictive dispensations, are the correc- 
tions of a Father's band, mercifully designed to promote 
my spiritual improvement ; and in connexion with that, 
my truest and highest happiness. I sensibly feel the 
need in which I stand of frequent chastisement, to disen- 
gage my affections from an inordinate attachment to the 
world ; to impress a livelier conviction of the evil of sin ; 
to excite to greater fidelity, in the discharge of du- 
ty, and to awaken more ardent desires, and diligent 
preparations for the happiness of a better life. Should 
it be productive of these happy fruits, and these I hope, 
through the attending blessing, and sanctifying spirit of 
God, will not be altogether wanting. I shall then have 
reason to reckon my affliction among the number of n)j 
choicest mercies, and .to acknowledge with joy and 
thankfulness, " That it is good for me that I have been 
afflicted." This is the language of a truly christian 
faith and piety ; but the spirit from which it flows, is 
as difficult to be acquired and maintained, as it is desir- 
able to be possessed. Happy truly are they, and they 



BIOGRAPHICAI. SKETCH, 18 

alone, whose souls liav e been formed by the grace of 
God for fbe principles of our holy religion, io rejoice in 
the prosperity of this Hie, as though they rejoiced not, 
and to weep under the sorrows of it, as though ihey wept 
not ; considering the time as short, and the fashion of 
this w?orld as passing swiftly away. Soon, very soon, 
ray dear brother and sister, will it pass away from us, 
or we from it. Let us then seriously and impartially in- 
quire, whether we are properly prepared to take our 
final leave of it ; whether we have those satisfying evi- 
dences of a christian faith, and repentance, and love, 
and obedience,, and a conscience so void of offence both 
towards God and man, that we can welcome the pros- 
pect of eternity, in the animating persuasion or hope, 
that the joj s prepared for the good and faithful servant 
in the kingdom of our Lord, shall be our everlasting 
portion. Let these, therefore, be constantly made the 
chief objects of our attention and regard, and let us 
not forget to help each other by our mutual prayers, 
that we may find mercy, and obtain grace, to be faith- 
ful in the things, winch so deeply concern the safety 
and happiness of our immortal souls.'* 

The feelings here expressed, were not left to expire 
without a corresponding effort to render some accepta- 
ble service to the Lord,^ by doing good to his fellow 
men. Accordingly, in Nov. 1785, he prepared the 
following plan of a Society, which, from the wisdom and 
liberality it displays, does great credit to his under- 
standing and heart. 

" Outlines of a 'plan for forming a religious society 
in the town of Alexandria, 

*T is conceived that a society, founded on catholic 
principles, so as to unite christians of different persua- 



t% BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

sions or professions, for the purposes of social prayer, 
and other religious exercises, may contribute greatly 
through the divine blessing, to the spirftual iniprove- 
ment of their own souls ; and serve also to diffuse the 
spirit and the blessings of the gospel among others, by 
whom they have not yet been experienced. Tiie cir- 
cumstances of this place, where the people of God are 
few in number, and in some measure, di\ided under 
different names and forms, while the whole current of 
general example, is opposed to a serious profession, 
and conscientious practice of true religion ; forcibly 
call upon all who are sincerely resolved to live godly 
in Christ Jesus, and are duly concerned for the honor 
of the Master whom they serve : to overlook the little 
differences subsisting between them, and to combine 
their best exertions, both to secure their own integrity 
and steelfastness, in the service of their God and Re- 
deemer, and to engage others to become followers of 
them, as they are of Christ. In order to these ends, no 
means appear more promising in themselves, or more 
jikely to be approved and seconded by the great Head 
of the church, than such institutions as this ; wherein 
those who profess faith in the same Saviour, who ac- 
knowledge subjection to the laws of (he same gospel, and 
entertain the hope of sharing in the same inheritance 
of the saints in light ; suspending their zeal for those less 
essential opinions and modes of practice, in which they 
vary from each other ; associate together in that spl- 
it of christian charity, which is the bond of perfec- 
tion, and cordially unite in fervent prayers and suppli- 
cations for each other, and for all men, in mutual ex- 
hortations, to provoke unto love and to good works, 
and in the use of all other prudent and affectionate en- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 1« 

deavours to encourage each others' hearts, and strength- 
en each others' hands in the common and great christ- 
ian cause. The hope that God will own and bless, to 
th.e important purposes in view, a design which so pro- 
fessedly and directly aims at the advancement of his glo- 
ry , in the promotion of the interests of religion, is abun- 
dantly authorized, not only by the obvious reasonable- 
ness of the thing, and its manifest conformity to the 
Divine will ; but by the ex^rMs declarations of his 
written word, which, among other instances, furnishes 
us with an illustrious example of the success of such a 
measure, among his ancient people the Jews, when it 
informs us, that *'They who feared the Lord, spake of- 
ten one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard 
it," and declared, that they should be " his, in the day 
when he made up his jewels ;" and in addition to this, 
affords us a most special and gracious promise, for the 
encouragement of christians in all succeeding ages, 
when our Saviour assures his disciples, that if even, 
'^ any two of them shall agree on earth, touching any 
thing that they shall ask^ it shall be done for them by 
his Father, who is in heaven ;" for said he, " where 
two or three are gathered together in my name, there 
am I in the midst of them." 

Influenced therefore by these considerations, and trust- 
ing that our views and intentions are pure and upright^ 
with earnest desires, and animating hopes, that God may 
by his counsel direct, and by his blessing prosper, our 
pious undertaking, we whose names are hereunto sub- 
scribed, do agree, 

I. That a Society shall be formed for the purposes 
above expressed, to consist of persons professing god- 
liness, and maintaining a conversation becoming the 



16 BIOGKAPHICAI. SKETCH. 

gospel of Christ, without any regard being had to the 
denominations to which thej belong, or the names by 
which they are distinguished. 

2. That the exercises performed in the Society, 
shall be sacred singing, prayer, and exhortation, or 
reading some portion of the word of God, or of other 
books of practical religion, generally approved. 

3. That when a mmister or preacher of good stand- 
ing, of any denominano* shall be present, he shall be 
invited, or have liberty, to address the Society on any 
subject of religion, only avoiding, as much as possible, 
all topics of controversy. 

4. That the first meeting of the Society, shall be on 
Wednesday evening, the 16th of the present ri5onlh, 
and that its future meetings shall be continued regular- 
ly, on the same evening, every fortnight, or at such 
other times as the Society may hereafter' find to be 
roost convenient and advisable ; and that all its meet- 
ings shall be attended by the members with as much 
punctuality, as their circumstances will possibly per- 
mit. 

5. That regular members choosing to withdraw from 
their connexion with the Society, shall have liberty to 
do it, without being considered as incurring blame or 
reproach on that account ; but that members whose 
immoral conduct, or irregular behaviour, may be inju- 
rious to the credit or interest of the Society, shall be 
excluded. 

6. That persons not in connexion with the Society, 
but desirous of attending its meetings, and behaving 
seriously and decently, shall be allowed to frequent 
Iheo), when they think proper." 



BlOGRAPHICAi SKETCH. 1?^ 

We give the plan of this Sociely at large, in this 
Memoir, because, so far as we know, it was the firsf of 
the kind proposed in our country ; and because it is an 
exhibition of sonud sense and judgment, is a good 
model for iinitalion, and happily express the pious 
and bene\olent feelinjis of ils author, at this ea; I v peri- 
od of his ministry. We know not whether this plan 
ever weni into operation. 

Until the fall of 1788, Mr. Kviish conliniied Ihe atfec- 
tionate and faithful pastor of the church in .4h xajidiia; 
when, having received and accepted a call to settle 
as colleague pastor wirh the Rev. William IIollings- 
HEAD, over the Indepeiultnl or Congregational church 
in Charleston, S- Carolina, he removed to that cify, 
and was inaugurated at the close of November, in the 
year above mentionecU* 

With what acceptance he fulfilled his eight years 
ministry to the Congregation in Alexandria, we leaiii 
by the following extract fiosn their remonstrance to the 
Presbytery, against his dismission, dated Sept. 10, 
1788. They say, " In the summer of 1780, the Rev. 
Mr. Keith became pastor of this church, by the accep- 
tance of our call ; and ever since that period has stood 
high in the estimation of all denominations, and particu- 
larly so with his own, whose exertions for his accommo- 
dation are perhaps unequalled, and sufficiently evidence 
their regard and attachutent. There have subsisted no 
feuds nor animosities to disturb the peace of our church, 
to render his residence here uncomfortable to himself, 
or his labours un[)rofirabIe to the people." To this 
we subjoin the certificate of his " dismission from the 

^ See his Inaugural Sermon, p. 49, of this Work. 
3 



IS BIOGEAPHICAX. SKETCH. 

Presbytery to which he belonged, as a further testimo- 
nial of the high estimation in which he was held. 

"in presbytery, BALTIMORE, SEPT. 16, 1788. 

A CALL was handed to the Rev. Isaac S, Keith, from 
(he Independent or Congregational Church in Charles- 
ton, S. Carolina, inviting him to take the pastoral charge 
thereof, in conjunction with the Rev. William Hollings- 
bead, of which, after some pause, with due solemnity, 
he signified his acceptance. 

The Presbytery, therefore, do hereby declare the 
pastoral relation between the Rev. Isaac S. Keith, and 
the Presbyterian church in Alexandria dissolved, dis- 
miss him from their body, to undertake the charge of 
the church in Charleston aforesaid, in conjunction with 
the Rev. William Hollingshead, recommending him very 
affectionately to both, as a valuable evangelical minis- 
ter of the fairest character, and fervently pray, that 
they may remain long together, in perfect harmony, 
for mutual edification, and the promotion of true reli- 
gion. 

Signedj Patrick allison, Mod'r,^'' 

By the removal of this worthy minister of Christ, be 
was placed in a more elevated and conspicuous station 
in the church, and a wider field of usefulness was open- 
ed to him. How faithfully, piously, and acceptably, 
he filled this station, and occupied this field, is witness- 
ed by very many witnesses ; particularly by the high- 
ly respectable testimonial, inserted at the close of the 
preface to this work, and by the tears of deep felt sor- 
row shed athis sudden decease, not only by his affection- 
ate and beloved flock ; but by thousands of others in 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 19 

different parts of our country, who had eilher shared 
in the pleasure and benefit of his acquaintance and cor- 
respondence, been partakers of his liberal and affec- 
tionate hospilalify, or enjoyed the fruits of his hearty 
and widely extended benevolence. The heart of no 
one, it is believed, was ever more uniforndy and ardent- 
ly set on doing good, than that of Dr. Keith. He was 
willing to spend and be spent in the service of God, and 
of his fellovi^men. In afflictions, by repeated bereave- 
ment of friends whom he loved as his own soul, and under 
trials of a very different nature, and still more wound- 
iiig and perplexing to his pious heart, he exhibited a 
spirit of meekness, patience, and forbearance, highly 
becornirjg the christian character, and which plainly in- 
dicated that he had taken Him for hU pattern, " who 
when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suf- 
fered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him 
that judgeth righteously." 

In the establishment and subsequent measures of sev- 
eral benevolent, pious, and charitable Institutions, par- 
ticularly a "Society for promoting the interests of re- 
ligion," in 1 80*2, and the " Charleston Bible Society," in 
1810, Dr. Keith contributed liberally, both of his prop- 
erty and influence. He was ready to every good work ; 
and seemed never weary in well doing. 

Dr. Kcilh's Epistolary talents will be apparent to 
the readers of this volume. Letters to friends, written 
as were those in this volume, utter, more than any other 
writings, the feelings of the heart. These letters ex- 
hibit the writer, in tlte various characters of husband, 
brother, friend, comforter, and patriot, to peculiar ad- 
vantage. Dr. Keith maintained, during his public life, the 
latter part of it especially, an extensive and voluminous 



20 BIOGTIAPHTCAI. SKETCH. 

correspondence. His frequent visits to the Northern 
Stales for the beneii} of his heahh, made him acquainted 
with a large porlion of his niinisterial brethren, besides 
many of the most respectable of the laity ; and in con- 
sequence, the invahds of the Noith, when visiiing the 
South, in quesl of health, were, in great numbers, intro- 
duced to him, and received from him ever those kind at- 
tenlions and christian consolations, which secured their 
a/Fectionate esteem and grateful remembrance. Many 
of the njost respectable people in the United States, 
and the most distinguished christian^, rvere nuoibered 
amon^ his friends. 

Dr. Keith was -^he affectionate and provident hus- 
band, in succes^sion, of three k ives. The first, to whom 
he was married shortly after his removal to Charleston, 
■was Miss HajHi. h Sproai, daughter of the pious and 
venerable Dr. Sproat, then senior pastor of Arch-Street 
church, in Phiicxdelphia. She was, by her fervent pie- 
ty aiid prayers, truly a helper and cotnforter of her 
husband, in his ministerial work and trials. This bless- 
ing, which he highly appreciated, he was permitted to 
enjoy but a few years. On the lo5{h of Sept. 1796, she 
departed this life in a triumphant faith, and in that 
christian hope, that is full of immortality. 

His second wife, to whom he was married on the third 
of April, 1793, was Miss Catharine Legare, daughter of 
Thomas Legare, Esq. of Charleston, a lady held in high 
estimation for her various accomplishments, her piety 
and worth of character. In a letter to his brother,of May 
1798, speaking of the event of his marriage, and of his 
wife, he says, " She is a very worthy branch, of a very 
worthy and respectable family, that has been emhient- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, 21 

]y fUslingnisbed by the grace of God. Her great 
grandfatber was driven by the violent hand of perr^ecii- 
tion, froiu France, during the reigti of Ljujifs fhe four- 
teenth. Her father, for a long course of years, has 
been sanked among; (he first here in chrisuan knowl- 
edge and experience." With this beloved cooipaninn, 
he lived little njore than five years. After suffering 
under a lingerins; and a slowly wasting disease, on the 
Idth of May, 1B03, she finished her earthly course, 
enjoying in her last moments, " a solid, settled peate 
in believing ; and in (he morning of the Lord's day, en- 
tered upon her eternal sabbath, among the spirits of 
the just made perfect in the kingdom of their Redeem- 
er " His last wife, was Miss Jane Huxham, a native 
of Exeter in England, who survives him as his widow ; 
of whom, of course, delicacy forbids that we shordd 
say more, than that she deserved and shaied largely 
in the affections of her husband, while he lived, and 
also, and still, in the esteem and cordial affections of 
his numerous and respectable friends. 

Though Dr. Keiih died without issue, he fulfilled 
the duties of a kifid and liberal parent to several adopt- 
ed children. On (his subject, in a letter (o a friend, 
of June 20fh, 1808, in which he gives a particular ac- 
count of his father's family, he says, " My brother 
John, like myself, has no children. May we have an 
interest in the new, sure, well ordered, and everlasting 
covenant of grace, and a name in the church and fami- 
ly of God, which will be better than any number, even 
of the most worthy and amiable of sons and daughters." 

The excellent funeral discourse of (he Rev. Dr. 
Flinn, which follows this sketch, in which the charac- 



22 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

terof fhis worthy and good man iseloquenflv and justly 
portrayed, renders it unnecessary here to add more on 
this topic. The following well written, and just notice 
of his death and character, which appeared at the tiaie 
in the public papers, deserves, however, to be here pre- 
served. 

" Departed this life, on the 14lh of December, 1813, 
the Rev. Isaac Stockton Keith, in the 59(h year 
of his age. For upwards of 25 years he ofiSciated as 
one of the pastors of the Independent church of this 
city ; in which station he zealously promoted the 
cause of religion, and successfully promulgated the 
doctrine contained in Holy Writ, to the honor of that 
religion and himself, and the promotion of the eternal 
•welfare and happiness of those, who were so favoured 
as to sit under his ministry. In manners he was mild, 
gentle and conciliating ; in his disposition, charitable, 
humane and hospitable ; his hands, his house, his 
heart, were ever open to suffering humanity ; to be 
known in distress, in want, and worthy of relief, was asuf- 
cient passport to his protection and assistance. While 
his mind was in a state of activity, which was till within a 
few hours of his dissolution, his lips were ever employ- 
ed in the service, and for the promotion of the best 
happiness of mankind. In life, he was useful in an em- 
inent degree ; in death, he may be still so, if we but 
contemplate his virtues, and endeavour to imitate his 
goodness, and obey those precepts, which he recom- 
mended, and constantly enforced by his practice." 



FUNERAL DISCOURSE, 



COMMEMORATIVE OF THE 



REV. ISAAC STOCKTON KEITH, D D. 

ONE OF THE MINISTERS OF THE INDEPENDENT OR CONGREGA* 
TIONAL CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, S. C. 



DELIVERED IN THE CIRCULAR CHURCH, JAN. 4, 1814. 



AT THE REQ,UE8T OF THE 



BOARD OF MANAGERS 



OF THE CHARLESTON BIBLE SOCIETY. 



BY REV. ANDREW FLINN, D.D. 

PASTOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, S. C. 



MONDAY, JANUARY, 10, 1814. 

^fa stated meetinff of the JUanngers of the Bible Society of Charles- 
ton, at the house of GZii. c c. pinkney, President. 

Resolved, that the thanks of this Board be presented to the Rever- 
end Dr. Flinn, for his eloquent and appropriate Discourse, preached on 
the occasion of ihe death of the Inte Hev. Dr. Keith, one of the Vice- 
Presidents of the Bible Society ; and also that the Kev Dr. Flinn, be 
requested to cause the same to be published. 

(Extract from the Minutes ) 

T. FORD, Recording Secretary. 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE 

COMMEMORATIVE OF 

THE REV. ISAAC S. KEITH, D.t). 

PSALM XII. 1. 

S32LP, LORD, FOR THE GODLY MAN CEASETH ; FOR THE TAITH- 
FVL. TAIL FROM AMOl^G THE CHILDREN OF MEN* 

A HE mysterious dispensalion of heaven, which has 
summoned us, this day, to the house of God, is of the 
most afflicting nature. It has shed a gloom upon the 
whole community : it has hung our temples with the 
emblems of mourning ; has covered with sables, an 
extensive congregation, and filled with sorrow a thou- 
sand hearts. The stioke which has prostrated a state- 
ly pillar in the Lord's house, has awakened the sensi- 
bilities of our city. A great man has fallen in the Is- 
rael of God ! An ambassador of Jesus Christ has been 
called home from among us ! One of the Lord's min- 
isters is dead ! Our friend and brother is no more! 
No, " it is no illusion 5" " the urn which bore" his 
ashes before us ; the streams of anguish which follow- 
ed ; the sombre aspect of this bereaved temple ; the 
" sad and sorrowful weeds" which cover this assembly ; 
the tear of affliction, which has not yet ceased to flow, 
with united voice, though in mournful accents, which 
melt the soul, declare the painful truth, that our Keith 
has gone down to the land of silence ! Evidences of 
the mournful event, and of the universal feeling which 



26 A FUNERAL DIRCOtJRSE. 

it has excited, every where present themselves. The 
tear which stole down the cheek of the venerable man 
of God, on that day when this bereaving stroke of heav- 
en left hiai alone, to bear the pressure of this great 
people, spoke the sorrows of his heart. Here a very 
aged and venerable minister of grace, though belonging 
to another branch of the church, with a liberality that 
does him honor, exclaims, " I am near seventy years 
old, and I never knew a more excellent minister of Je- 
sus Christ, of any denommatioti ;" tkerey the states- 
man, and the Soldier, with a saddened countenance, 
testifies of him, " he was a good man, he deserved 
every mark of respect which can be showed to his mem- 
ory." Here, I behold another venerable minister of 
Christ, stooping beneath the pressure of years ; stand- 
ing on the margin of the tomb, which has received the 
ashes of our departed brother, while the tear of affec- 
tion rolls down his cheek, exclaiming, " long will the 
name of this great and good man be had in remembrance !" 
There weeps the humble African, who had been wont 
to sit at the feet of this excellent servant of Jesus 
Christ, to receive instruction, crying, "My shepherd 
is gone, my father is dead." Here, a whole congre- 
gation of the Lord's people, dumb with grief, and over- 
whelmed with sorrow, gathers round the altar where he 
used to minister, while their tears, and their sobs, 
speak the anguish of their souls. Yonder, disconsolate, 
and sorrowful, in the chamber of death, sits an afflicted 
widow, while she tells of the virtues of him, who " was 
a good husband ; a true friend, and a faithful guide." 
What impressive evidences, these, of the universal 
affliclion, which this bereavement has occasioned I How 
honorable to the living ! How just to the dead ! 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 27 

Amidst this general mourning, of which all are par- 
takers, the Bible Society of Charleston, formed for the 
purpose of giving a more extensive diffusion to the 
word of life, and of shedding upon the cheerless man- 
sion of poverty, the light of salvation ; of which Socie- 
ty, the deceased was an active, zealous, and highly re- 
spected officer, cannot remain indifferent. Feeling its 
full proportion of sorrow, and " bearing its badges of 
wo," it presents itself before these altars to day, trem- 
bling under this awful stroke of the Almighty. In hav- 
ing commanded me to speak of departed worth, it has 
only made me the humble organ of giving expression to 
the anguish, which it feels, on this melancholy occasion. 
I approach the task assigned me with diffidence. 
Standing in the place where this minister of God has so 
often stood ; in presence of a bereaved and afflicted 
people, I feel able to do little more than lift up my voice, 
and weep. On such an occasion, and under such cir- 
cumstances, the pathetic exclamation of the ancient 
church, which has been pronounced in your hearing, 
seems natural and proper. " Help, Lord, for the 
godly man ceaseth ; for the faithful fail from among 
the children of men !" In these words the Psalmist 
describes a character, and assumes a principle. The 
two leading features in the character described, are 
godliness and faithfulness. The principle assumed 
seems to be this : that the removal by death, of men 
eminent for their piety and usefulness, is to the living a 
sore calamity. 

In preparing the subject for an application suited to 
the afflicting circumstances, under which we are now 
assembled, I will follow this natural order of the text. 



28 A FUNERAL DISCOURSE 

I. I Will endeavour to present you with a just view 
of the character described, by iUustrat ing the two prom- 
inent features of it, which are specified in the text ; 
godliness and faithfulness. 

II. I will establish the principle which the text as- 
sumes, viz. that the removal, by death, of men eminent 
for piety and usefulness, is, to the living, a sore calami- 
ty. This is the plan of our discourse. And now, may 
that Jesus, who sits as King upon the holy hiliof Zion ; 
who covers, with a cloud, the face of his throne ; who 
has sorely afflicted us, and has given us " the wine of 
astonishment to drink," be with us on this occasion ! 
May the light of his countenance gild the glooms, which 
have settled upon this assembly. 

I. I am then, in the first place, to present you with 
a just view of the character here described, by illus- 
trating the two prominent features of it, which are spec- 
ified in the text ; godliness and faithfulness. 

These expressive terms have reference to, and em- 
brace the duties enjoined, both by the first and second 
tables of the law. Godliness is a relative term, and is 
most extensive in its signification. It refers to God, 
and consists in being like him ; in having the true fear 
of God in the heart, leading to purity and fervor in his 
worship. 

It is, perhaps, impossible, as a celebrated divine just- 
ly observes, to bring within the scope of what is called 
a definition, an adequate idea of the term godliness. 
It is evident, from a declaration of St. Paul to Timo- 
thy, that it embraces the whole of practical religion : 
" godliness,'* says he, *< is profitable to all things, hav- 
ing the promise of the life that now is, and of that which 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSB 29 

is to come." Sauria reduces it to these four ideas, 
" knowledge in the mind, by which it is disting,uished 
from the visions of the superstitious ; rectitude in the 
conscience, bj? which it is distinguished from hypocri- 
sv ; self-denial in the life, by which it is distinguished 
from the unmeaning obedience of him who goes as a 
happy coniititution leads him ; and lastly, zeal in the 
heart, by which it is distinguished from the languishing 
eniotions of the lukewarm," 

If godliness consists in a conformity with the image, 
and obedience to the laws o( God, which will not be 
questioned, it necessarily implies a saving knowledge 
of the divine character ; a correct knowledge of his 
laws, and a hearty approbation of his statutes. No 
man can rationally conform to rules, of which he knows 
nothing ; nor can he yield an acceptable obedience to 
laws, with which he is not acquainted, or which he does 
not approve. His obedience, in this case, even could 
it be made to me'et the /e/fer of thelaw, would be essen- 
tially deficient in |?n«c?pZc; for God acknowledges no 
obedience, which does not flow from a principle of love. 
Now, since the sacred oracles are the great repository 
of divine truth, and are stampt with divine authority; 
since the image of God is there delineated; his laws and 
statutes there recorded, it follows, that godliness sup- 
poses a knowledge of the Holy Volume, together with 
a conformity of heart and life, to the doctrines, and 
precepts therein contained. It is thus that the godly 
man, deducing the rules of his duty, and the maxims of 
his life, from the fountain of truth, and the stores of di- 
vine knowledge, differs from the child of superstitioug 
whose rules are visionary, and whose maxims are ih^ 
fictions of a bewildered min(^. 



80 A FUiyERAL DISCOURSE. 

Sincerity of soul is another essential property of true 
godliness. The godly man, is a man of simplicity. 
To purify his heart from guile, is the great business of 
his life. No hypocritical professions of affection, 
which he never felt, or obedience, which he never 
yielded, are permitted to enter into his character. In 
simplicity of heart, and sincerity of soul, as in every 
other virtue, he feels bound to resemble God, who is 
infinitely sincere in all the professions which he makes, 
of affection for his creatures. The constant endeavour 
of the pious man is to act in such a way, as will enable him 
to carry his appeal, with Peter, to the omniscience of 
Jesus. " Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest 
that I love thee." Afraid lest hypocrisy should lurk 
in his bosom, he sends up his cries to Him, who trieth 
the reins, " Search me, O God ! and know my heart : 
try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any 
wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." 

A third property of true godlinessj is self-denial in 
the life ; a steady opposition of soul to every evil pro- 
pensity. The question with the pious man is not, what 
will be most agreeable to the current of the carnal 
heart ? What will be most conducive to my worldly 
interest, or temporal honor ? But what will be most 
pleasing to God, most agreeable to the revelation of his 
will, or most conducive to the honor of his name ? Liv- 
ing " the life which he lives in the flesh, by the faith 
of the Son of God ;" pressing " towards the mark, for 
the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus :" 
urging his passage on, in pursuit of " a better country," 
with " holiness to the Lord" as his motto, written upon 
the palm of his right hand, he willingly "denies 
all .ungodliness, and every worldly Iu«t, and lives s©* 



A FUNERAL DISCOUHSS. 31 

berly, righteously, and godly in this present evil world." 
Finally, supreme love to God, and zeal for the honor of 
Ecnmanuel, burning in his heart, imparting light, life, 
and vigor to all his other virtues, crown the character 
of the godly man. 

Born from above, created anew in Christ Jesus ; 
having the principles of holiness implanted in his heart, 
and the features of the divine image retraced upon hii 
soul ; his mind stored with heavenly knowledge ; warm- 
ed, and animated with sincere love to God, the pious 
man is found faithful in the discharge of his duty to men. 
This faithfulness displays itself in a proper attention 
to the rights, and to the wants of men. The rights of 
men, for I here use the word in its proper sense, are 
such as are founded upon the relations in which they 
are placed, as creatures of God, or as members of do- 
mestic, social, civil, or religious society. The wants 
of men, which the faithful servant of Jesus Christ re- 
gards, equally with their perfect rights, are such as are 
occasioned by the scanty possession, or painful be- 
reavement, of the blessings of Providence, by the pains, 
and sicknesses, the agonies, sorrows and ills, " that 
flesh is heir to.'* To all the various classes, of which 
the great human family is composed, the servant of 
God feels that he sustains a particular, and important 
relation. The nature of this relation points him to his 
duty, in the conscientious discharge of which, his fidel- 
ity consists. The cardinal virtues of justice, charity 
and truth, shed their lustre round his character. Up- 
on his heart is engraved the rule of life, which his Sav- 
iour has given ; " Whatsoever ye would that men should 
do to you, do ye even the same to them." Influenced 
by this, he is just to the property, and to the feelings 
of others. He is the faithful guardian of his neigh- 



S2 A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 

bour's good name. He (ake^ not up an ill report, nor 
does he give countenance to the ba^e. assassin of char- 
acter. He is the faithful husband, the tender parent, 
the humane master, if God have placed him in those 
relations ; the benevolent and obliging neighbour ; the 
honest and useful citizen. United to the great original 
of goodness and love, by the holj dispositions he has 
received from on high ; his heart warmed and expanded 
by the benign principles of love to God, he embraces, 
as his brethren, the whole human race. In him the 
stranger finds a friend ; the widow, a husband ; and 
the orphan, a father. He wipes the tear from the 
cheek of misery ; sheds light, and joy through the 
mansion of poverty, and lights up a smile on the bed of 
pain. Having known, by experience, the truth and 
importance of the things of God, he is faithful to the 
eternal interests of men. While he relieves the tem- 
poral wants of the sinner, he administers also to the 
maladies of his soul. Now he remonstrates with the 
wicked man, while he tells him of the terrors of the 
Lord ; and now he holds up the trembling penitent, 
while he tells him of the love of Jesus, and by pointing 
him to the blood of the covenant, assuages the sorrows 
of his bleeding heart. Having himself beheld, in the 
lively oracles, the light of salvation, and experienced 
the virtue of the streams which flowed from the cross, 
he anxiously endeavours io send this revelation from 
God, to those who are perishing " for lack of vision." 
This is the character described in the text ; devoted to 
God, and faithful to man ; bearing the glory of Jesus, 
and reflecting, in some degree, the lustre of the moral 
attributes of God. This is the man who sheds light, 
and diffuses blessings, upon all around him. While ad- 



A FUNERAL DISOURSK. 33 

mitied to nearness and communion with God, he is an 
honor and a blessing to the land in which he lives. 
That the removal of such characters, by the stroke of 
death, is, both to the church, and to the world, a sore 
calamity, is a proposition evidently founded on the 
text. This brings us to the second general division of 
our subject, which requires us, 

II. To establish the principle, assumed by the Psalm- 
ist, that the removal, by death, of men eminent for 
their piety and usefulness, is, to the living, a sore ca- 
lamity. " Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth ; for 
the faithful fail from amonig the children of men." 

That the removal from our world, of such excellent 
characters is a sore calamity, will appear evident if we 
reflect, for a Kioment, upon the vast chasm which their 
death has occasioned in society. Men of such distin- 
guished virtues fill up a large space. They are stars 
of superior magnitude. The lustre which they shed 
around them enlightens, cheers, and animates extensive 
regions. Under their benign influence, in a restricted 
sense, the deserts rejoice, and the solitary places are 
glad. But when stricken from their orbs, in an evil 
hour, by the resistless hand of death, what darkness en- 
sues ! How cheerless appear those regions, which be- 
fore were flourishing as the garden of God ! But a lit- 
tle while ago, benignant beams were seen to glitter on 
the glooms, which had settled in the chamber of afl5ic- 
tion and death ; but these beams are seen no more ! 
A light was discovered in the mansion of sorrow, where 
" Poverty kept the door;" but this light has gone oat ! 
" The wintry blast, howls through the habitation," 
while deeper glooms, unpierced by a single ray, have 

thickened upon the deserted sufferer ! Of what im- 

-.5 



34 A FUNERAL DISCOITRSE. 

mense imporlance to the comfort and well being of so" 
ciety, is the life of godly and faithful men ! They are 
blessings to the world ; but the extent of the blessing 
is seldom known till they are dead. How many are 
looking up to them for counsel, in the hour of perplexi- 
ity ; for consolation, in the day of adversity ; for suc- 
cour, in time of distress ; for their prayers, in the tem- 
pestuous night of divine visitation I ! But now, that 
they are gone, how many faces must gather paleness ! 
how many hearts burst with anguish ! how many 
chords are snapt asunder ! what breaches are made in 
the happiness of all ! 

2. The removal, by death, of men eminent for piety 
and usefulness, is, to the living, a sore calamity, be- 
cause the sum of virtue, with all the blessings which 
flow from that fruitful source, is thereby diminished. 
The real happiness of society will always bear a just 
proportion to the solid virtue which is found in it ; and 
on the other hand, in the same proportion that vice tri- 
umphs, will the happiness, and glory of a people lan- 
guish. Vice will always be kept down in proportion 
to the weight of virtue opposed to it. Whatever, 
therefore, diminishes the sum of virtue, gives a pro- 
portional spring to vice, with all the miseries which 
flow from if. In this sense it may be said that the 
death of every good man, however obscure, is a calam- 
ity to the living, because the sum of virtue, and con- 
sequently the sum of happiness, is thereby diminished. 
But when men of pre-eminent virtue and piety are 
taken uway, how great is the deduction ! how exten- 
sive the calamity I 

3. The removal of men eminent for their piety and 
usefulness, is a sore affliction, because of the too proh- 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 35 

able evidence, which it furnishes, of the divine displeas- 
uve ; of the Lord's controversy with a sinful land ; of 
the kindlings of his wrath, and of impending judgment. 
In this light does the prophet Isaiah seem to have viewed 
the removal of the righteous, in his day. " The right- 
eous perisheth, says he, and no man layeth it to heart ; 
and merciful men are taken away, none considering that 
Ihe righteous is taken away from the evil to come." 
It was well said, in allusion to this declaration of the 
prophet, by a holy man, now with God ; " Doves fly 
home to their windows at the coming storm." "When 
ambassadors are called home, it becomes the nation 
where they were, to reflect w'hether a rupture is not 
likely to ensue." Not for the purposes of their own 
salvation merely, are the godly and the faithful contin- 
ued on earth. By their instrumentality does God call 
a guilty nation to repentance. By them does he w^arn, 
admonish, and intreat. By them does he negotiate the 
treaty of peace, with these revolted colonies of his vast 
dominions. This is more especially applicable to those 
who have been commissioned as heralds of salvation, 
to a guilty world. To them has been committed the 
ministry of reconciliation. They have been constitut- 
ed ambassadors of the King of kings. They have been 
authorized to state the conditions of pardon, and to of- 
fer eternal life to the penitent. Clothed wilh divine 
authority ; " shod with the preparation of the gospel of 
peace ;" " having taken for an helmet the hope of sal- 
vation ;" fired with zeal for the honor of their Prince, 
they seize the standard of the cross; they wave the 
banners of their king, streaming with the blood of the 
covenant ; they ascend the watch tower, they leap up- 
on the walls of Zion ; they cry in'the streets of Jem- 



36 A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 

salem, " Ho everj one that thirstetb, come je to the 
waters." " Seek ye the Lord while he inaj be found ; 
call ye upon him while he is near." Panting for the 
consolation of Israel, fearing lest the blood of souls be 
found upon thena, they " lift up their voice like a trum- 
pet;*' they " cry aloud, and spare not;" " they shout, 
they thunder, they shoot the arrows of the Almighty ;'^ 
while " with strong crying and tears," they beseech the 
Lord to crown their labours with success. Constrain- 
ed by the love of Jesus, they rceit into tenderness ; 
they point the impenitent to the agonies of the garden, 
and the streams of the cross. By all the arguments 
which the mysteries of redemption furnish, they urge 
sinners to "be reconciled to God." Ah, these are 
halcyon days ! precious seasons ! The mountains 
are dropping fatness, and the little hills are rejoicing ! 
Now the Lord may be found, and salvation secured. 
Now he wails, with much long suffering, while these, 
his servants, are going forward with their work. But 
if these days of grace be neglected ; if these njinisters 
of mercy be disregarded ; if the articles of the treaty, 
which they are sent to negotiate, be rejected, and ;the 
insulted sovereign recall his ambassadors, does it. not 
seem as if the breaking forth of judgment was near at 
hand ? Thus it was in the days of Noah. One hun- 
dred and twenty years did God wait upon the antedi- 
lu^^'ian sinners, while his ambassador was continued with 
them ; but they refused to re{>ent ; they spurned his 
messenger, and despised his grace. He recalled his 
ambassador, and *^ lifted the fiood-gates of vengeance !" 
Thus was it also in the days of Lot. The iniquities of 
Sodom, and the cities of the plain, had come to the full. 
They had despised the Lord's messenger, and misused 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 37 

bis prophef. He is abool to dcBtroy theai by the 
most Ireinciidous of his j^-d^mi^ni^ \ bi.t iiov.a cloud is 
peiuiitieJ iu gather ovev bodoai ; lu. iliurider is per- 
mitted to mti{fer, nor bulcfui Vi>^\.' nin% to glearu, till 
godly and laithfid Lot is lenioved. Then the clouds 
gadier, the ttsiipist (hickenii, <he thuriders roll, the 
liiiUitnirii^a bluze, iJUipJiareous torrents descer«d, and the 
smoke of Sudom goe^ fjp as the smoke of a i'irnace ! 
Ab, my coinitry ! if tl)e gathering hoine of the Lord'is 
people, and the recaliing of his ambassadors, in thick 
successio»i, a»e evki-itf^es of his controversy with thee, 
and the ktadliiigs of his /rath against thee, it is now 
I tremble for thy destinsf;^ ! Hov/ rapidly are these 
doves of Jesus gathering home io iheir windows ! How 
are the ways of Zbn mourning, and the paths which 
lead to Jerusalem becoming solitary ! This leads me to 
remark in the 

4th aad Id^t p^ace, That the removal, by death, of 
men, eaiiaeiil for their piety and usefubiess, is a sore 
cahfM'Uy, bccuuD*^ the barriers, which prevent the tor- 
r< geiinre from sweeping a guilty land, have 

the r- j (>cc;i weakened. Ah ! what a barrier do the 
praytis yf tl)e righteous present to avert the fioods of 
impenditig wrath ! " The efitctual fervent prayer of 
the righteous man availeth much." Upon the prayers 
of his raithfuloiies, the Lord has placed the highest es- 
tiiiiate. It was in a desperate case, thai adaiitted of no 
remedy, that God pronoonced the tremendous declar- 
ation, " Taoagh Moses and Samuel stood before me, 
yet my mind could not be towards this people ; cast 
them out of my sight, and let them go." The declar- 
ation itself, implies the ahnost omnipotence of prayer. 



38 A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 

" Let me alone," says God to an exalted favoiirile, 
wrestling with him for an idolatrous people, " let nie 
alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and 
that I may consume them." How strong is this lan- 
guage I Even the arm of incensed Omnipotence, which 
wields the vengeful thunder, seems to be held in ar- 
rest ! ! The man of prayer prevails, and Israel is saved ! 
"Therefore, says the Psalmist, he said he would de- 
stroy them, had not Moses, his chosen, stood before 
him in the breach, to turn away his wrath." What a 
shield do the prayers of the upright spread before a 
people, trembling at the approach of divine vengeance! 
" Let the earth be removed ; let the mountains be car- 
rkd into the midst of the sea ; let the waters thereof 
roar, and be troubled, and the mountains shake with 
the swellings thereof ;" let nation rise against nation, 
and kingdom dash against kingdom ; let the storm gath- 
er, and the tempest thicken ; so long as I see Moses 
on his knees, wrestling in prayer, with Aaron and Hur 
supporting his arms ; while I hear him cry, "Spare 
thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to re- 
proach ;" so long as I see Abraham on his face, urging 
his suit, that the righteous perish not with the wicked ; 
so long as I hear Uaniel, clothed with sackcloth, and 
covered with ashes, crying, " Let thine anger and thy 
fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, and thy 
holy Mountain," I will not be afraid. But, ah I when 
I see Moses ascending the heights of N-ebo ; when 
I see Abraham gathered to his fathers, and Daniel re- 
moved to the land of silence, " my flesh shivers," and 
ray heart faints with me. When, from the watch tow- 
er, I behold the Almighty, "rising, to shake terribly 
the earth ;" when I hear him " uttering his voice in 



JL FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 39 

the Heavens," and commanding " scourge to follow 
scourge, and vengeance to press on vengeance," my 
soul meditates terror ; I am ready to exclaim, in an 
agony of grief, who shall now stand up for us, and plead 
for the arrest of the destroying angel ! 

My brethren, the age in which we live, is an age 
darkened with the judgments of God. " A noise has 
come up to the ends of the earth : the Lord has a 
controversy with the nations, and is pleading with all 
flesh." He is deepening our afflictions, and increasing 
our alarms, by gathering home his people, and recall- 
ing his ambassadors. Of this melancholy truth, the 
funeral solemnities of this day furnish us with painful 
evidence. They tell us that a lamp has gone out in 
the sanctuary of God ; that *^ a burning and shining 
light" has been extinguished in Israel ; that a watch- 
man has descended from the walls of Zion, to return 
no more for ever. Embosomed, as w^e are, in the dark- 
ness which has succeeded, and saddened by the long 
desolations which are spread around us, let lis now 
approach the solitary mansion where, silent, and cold, 
lies the man of God, whose sudden departure from us 
has awakened our sympathies, and filled our hearts with 
sorrow. Let us cheer the glooms, as we pass to his 
tomb, by singing this song, " Blessed are the dead 
who die in the Lord ; yea, saith the Spirit, they rest 
from their labours, and their works do follow them." 
Ah, me! it is now I feel my entire inadequacy to the 
task, which you have devolved upon me. You have 
commanded me to lead you to that tomb ; to lift the 
mantle of death ; to pluck from the grave its covering, 
and to hold up before you this venerable servant of 
Jesus Christ, in the intrinsic excellence of his charac- 



40 A FlTiVERAL DISCOURSE. 

ter ; but (his wonkl require po:vers eqnal to bis own. 
In attempting to discharge thii inietesting duty, " too 
imposing to be declined," i shnll endeavour cautiously 
to avoid, on the one band, that fuhor^e a delation into 
which funeral eulogies are too a-pt to degenerate ; and, 
on the other, that blind parliality, to which strong af- 
fection natu^-ally leans. Stand iiig, as I do, before " the 
remains of departed jTreainess," nod In view of the 
judgment seat of Christ, I shall hold myself bound to 
speak the trnlh, f^o far a» I ^^novr, or believe. And, 
indeed, \vhj shoidd l do olhcnvi '^ ? The character 
of my depar- ed brother, needs no ]r»boured efiTort of mine 
to preserve it ; it is enabalmed in the aiTeclions of a 
thousand hearts ! Hi*? immortal part is not suscepti- 
ble of flattery ; it is before the throne, joining in praises 
of another order. 

With the parentage, and early character of the 
Rev. Dr. Isaac Stockton Keilh, I have not been able 
to make myself sufficiently acquainted, to do justice 
to this part of the snbiect before me ; nor is it very im- 
portant that I should, it matters but little from whom 
he was descended, or what favoured spot of country 
gave him birth. In general, [ have learned, that he 
sprung; from reputable parents, in the county of Bucks, 
in the State of Pennsylvania ; and, that while in the 
pursuits of science, in the College of Ntw Jersey, he 
was assailed by the terrors of the Lord, and brought to 
the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, Eiit it was not 
until after his Lord, hnving counted him faithful, had 
put him into the ministrj, that be was introduced to our 
personal knowledge. With his " manner of coming in, 
and going out" among us, we have been long acquaint- 
ed. As a 7nan, as a christian, and as a minis i er oi the 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 4i 

Lord Jesus, he has been known to us all ; and we also 
know, Ihat in each of these characters, he was deserv- 
edly rei^ered?, respected, and beloved ; that he reflected 
honor upon his generation, adorned the doctrines of 
Christianity, and was an ornament to the gospel minis- 
try. As a man, formed for society, Dr. Keith was cal- 
culated both to receive and impart happiness in the so- 
cial drcle. In him shone that bright assemblage cf 
dispositions and virtues, which never fail to constitute 
the agreeable and useful companion. Venerable and 
grave in his aspect, his presence forbade the rude ap- 
proach of impertinence. To a stranger, his first ap- 
pearance seemed rather distant and austere : but, upoii 
a nearer approach, (hat stranger soon discovered his 
mistake ; he soon found, that, tliough in (he pres- 
ence of di;£ni(j', it was diijnity, softened and embellish- 
ed with every benign and generous affeclion. Affable, 
but not assuming; cheerful, but not (rifling; never 
descending from (he disunity of the 77}an, while his inno- 
cent anecdote lighted up a srr.ile on every countenance 
around him ; his company was sought and loved by bis 
friends. Naturally warm and generous in his feelings, 
he loved his friend with an ardent affection. Had he 
a weakness ? Perhaps it sometimes appeared here. 
Loving his friend wirh uncommon ardor, and placing 
upon (he aS*ection of that friend, in return, the highest 
estimate, he was sensibly alive to every suspicion of 
change in that affection. Perhaps this ardor of feeling 
might, sometimes, have led him to mistake appearance 
for reality. If you call this a weakness, it is one of 
those weaknesses which it is difficult to censure. On 
all the relations of life, in which he was placed, as a 
man and a citizen, he reflected honor. An afiectionate 
6 



42 A FUNERAL DISCOURSE* 

husbandj^ a humaoe master, an obliging neighbour, and 
a distinguished philanthropist. His heart and bis 
house were open to the stranger, and hh purse to the 
indigent. He was a sincere lover of his country, and 
took a deep interest in her civil and political welfare ; 
an interest, however, the expression of which was al- 
ways chastened by a scrupulous regard to the sanctity 
of his office. Such, ^ou know, was Dr. Keith, as a 
man. On all these excellent properties, the mildest 
beams of ehri^lianvfy shed their biight lustre. 

As a disciple of J- sus Christ, this amiable man was 
humble, watchful and devout. On h\> private conver- 
sation, and retiring walk, was found the unriion of the 
Holy One, The spirit of thegosjpe! marked his inter- 
course with men. To the fer\or of his devotions, his 
family and his closet, bore daily tesiin-ony. Row af- 
fecting and impressive was the scene which sometimes 
unfolded to my view, when I have accidentally come 
upon him, at the time of the morning sj^crifire ! Hov^r 
have I seen this holy man of God on his knees, in the 
midsf of his family, surrounded vrifh his domestics, and 
the servants of his neighbours, who attended to receive 
the benefit of his prayers, wifb his eyes and his hands 
lifted before the mercy seat, his voice faltering, 
his whole system agitated, v^hile he wrestled in 
prayer for himself, for his family, for bis congrega- 
tion, and for the land in which he lived I Ah ! my 
country ! bleeding and shaken by the judgments 
of the Almighty, the?«e prayers for thy welfare have 
ceased for ever ! ** Help, Lord, for the godly man 
ceasetb ; for the faithful fail from among the children 
of men." 

The personal piety of our departed brother, was not 
the sudden or transient flash, which appears for a mo- 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 43 

nienf, and then dies away. Jt was the steady fire, which 
burns with increasing fervor, and shines wi(h in- 
creasing brightness. It influenced the whole of his de- 
portment, and imparted character to all his transactions 
in !ife. Taught by this to sympathize in the concerns 
of others, he "rejoiced with those that did rejoice, 
and wept with those who wept." Himself a lover of 
Jesus Christ, he loved, and rejoiced in the prosperity 
of all who were so. 

But it was from the walls of Zion that he shed the 
brightest glory of the gospel. Endowed with a mind 
which was strong, and discriminating ; a judgment, 
solid and judicious ; *' apprehensions not remarkably 
quick, but unusually just ;" the whole illuminated, and 
sanctified by divine grace, he was eminently qualified 
for being useful in the church. Thus fitted by his 
Lord, for the task assigned him, he was early commis- 
sioned as a herald of the cross. He commenced his 
ministerial career in the city of Alexandria, in the 
State of Virginia. There he laboured, with reputa- 
tion and success, till he received a call to this congre- 
gation, to be a co-pastor w^ith him who yet lives, and 
whose praise is in the churches. Here he laboured in 
word and doctrine for twenty-five years, when he was 
called to enter into the joys of his Lord. For one 
quarter of a century have this congregation and this 
city been blessed with his example, his prayers, and 
his labours in the ministry. During that period, through 
all the changes which it knew, tie kept on, with a steady 
pace, in " works of faith, and labours of love." With 
tenderness he cherished the lambs, and with faithful- 
ness fed the flock committed to his care. In the work 
•f the ministry he was diligent, and laborious. Bearing 



■44 A FUK'ERAL DISCOURSE. 

upon his mind a deep sense of (he dread responsibility 
of his office, feeling that souls were committed to his 
charge ; and that for these he was bound to watch, as 
one who must sive an account, he made it his earnest 
study, and constant endeavour, so to divide the word 
of life, as to give to each one " a portion in due season." 
Rightly discrimiaating beiween the saint and the sin- 
ner ; between the nominal christian, and the real be- 
liever, he shaped his instruciions, admonitions, and 
warnings accordingly. Of his sermons, Jesus was the 
center and the sum. They were distinguished for 
their manly sense, simplicity of style, evangelical piety, 
and searching truth. Knowing that the great design 
of the gospel ministry is to bring sinners home to God, 
he was more solicitous to reach the conscience and to 
mend the heart, than to please the fancy, or to tickle 
the ear. He deemed that sermon worth nothing, which 
had not in it something of Christ. His theological 
opinions were, in the strictest sense of the word, ortho- 
dox. He stated, and defended the doctrines of grace, 
the doctrines of the reformation. He taught the en- 
tire depravity of the human heart ; the absolute neces- 
sity of being born from above ; the necessity of divine 
influences to change the heart, and to sanctify the soul ; 
the nature, and necessity of repentance and faiJh, holi- 
ness and love, influencing the heart (o the production 
of good works, in the life. 

The divinitj^ of the I>ord Jesus, and atonement 
through his blood, were, in his system, doctrines of j^?'i- 
mary importance. On these he rested his eternal 
hopes. In his public ministry. Dr. Keith was particu- 
larly distinguished, not only for the purity of his doc- 
trines, but for the fervor of his prayers, and his marked 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 45 

altention to (be dispensations of Providence. In these 
he has, perhaps, been seidom surpassed in anj age of 
the church. How often has he wrestled, like Jacob, 
on this very spot I The pestilence,- the fire, the earth- 
quake, or ihe storm, were never suffered to escape his 
public notice. But why dwell upon the subject of his 
pastoral office, in presence of his bereaved and affiicted 
congregation, whose hearts are still bleediDg, whose 
{ears are still fiowii^jz;, and who are sorrowing, most of 
all, because of the decree lli:\t is gone forth that " ihey 
shall see his face no more ?" How he M you, with the 
bread of life ; how he comforted jou in the hour of af- 
fliction ; how he wiped your tears^ in the day of your 
anguish; how "he prayed by your beds of pain;" 
how affectionately he loved you, and how honestly he 
warned yon, is know^n to yoii now, and shall be known 
to the universe, in that day, which shall disclose the 
Son of Man in {he clouds of heaven ! Then shall you 
again meet your pastor ! Those who shall have saving- 
ly profited by his ministry, shall hail, with loud accla- 
mations, the man who was "over thera in the Lord ;" 
who fed them in this house, and pointed them to the 
Saviour. But those who shall then be found to have 
rejected his ministry ; but I forbear ! The subject is 
too awful! Your loss, my brethren, is 2;reat, and sen- 
sibly you feel it ; but yon have yet much for vThich to 
be thankful. Behold the venerable man who is still 
with you ! He will comfort you in this liaae of your 
trouble ; and you in return will comfort hin). See hiin 
trembling beneath ihe pressure of this great people I 
He is left alone, solitary and disconsolate ! You will 
hold up his arms, as Aaron and Hur did those of Moses. 
But in this assembly 1 see a group of mourners, 
whose tears tell me that they too are filled with sorrow. 



46 A. FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 

Ask them why they weep, and they point me to the 
seat which the man of God filled among them, now left 
vacant. To these my disconsolate brethren, 1 must be 
permitted to turn for a moment. 

MR. PRESIDENT, AND 

GENTLEMEN OF THE CHARLESTON BIBLE SOCIETY, 

Ah, why have you already disarmed me ! 1 see you 
weep ! 1 know full well the cause of those tears ! Your 
ranks are thinned ! Your number is diminished ! One 
of your much loved leaders has fallen ; and therefore 
it is that you lift up your voice, in this temple, and cry, 
"help. Lord, for the godly man ceaseth.'* But let us 
not be filled with over-much sorrow. Let us wipe 
away our tears, and gather round the ashes of our de- 
parted brother, and prove how much we loved him, by 
" gathering up his maxims,'* and following his bright 
example. His greatest eulogy, as a member of this 
body, is found in the excellence of the Institution it- 
self. Perhaps it is not going too far to say, that no in- 
stitution ever originated in human invention, that has 
been so extensively useful to the eternal interests of 
men, as the institution of Bible Societies. Never have 
the streams of salvation rolled on with such rapidily, and 
with such growing swell, as since the institution of the 
British and Foreign Bible Society. This was the 
fountain whence first issued those streams which, as 
the river of God, are now refreshing and fertilizing the 
wilderness, and the dark places of the earth, stretching 
almost to the remotest boundaries of the globe, where, 
forages, have been " the habitations of cruelty." Nev- 
er have the missionary armies gone out with such tri- 
umphant banners, a? since the commencement of that 
society, and those which have growH out of it. All 



A FUUEltAL DISCOFftSS, 4T 

Chris(eridom seems to have been put in motion. Ma- 
ny are running " to and fro," and the knowledge of 
the Lord is rapidly increasing. The light of Zion is 
streaming in its glory, and the darkness of Paganism is 
flying before it. The Indian, the Persian, and the 
Arabian, with the inhabitant " of Burmah and China," 
are now enabled to read, each in his own language, the 
words of eternal life. Mount Caucasus, in the bosom 
of Asia, has become luminous with the light of truth, 
and is po\iring the lustre of the gospel upon " numer- 
ous nations of the Tartar race." " The Malyan Isles," 
and those of the Pacific Ocean, have become vocal 
with songs of redemption through the blood of the 
Cross. " The great Continent of Africa is now the 
scene of translations and of missions.'' The Continent 
of North America, and that of the South, are sending 
io the nations the knowledge of the Saviour. " Green- 
land, Labrador, and Austral Asia, have received the 
precious gift." Jesus has taken to him his great pow- 
er, and is building up Jerusalem in these troublous times. 
These amazing operations, which are fixing the atten- 
tion of Europe and the world ; and, in their results, 
are pouring blessings immortal upon the dark regions 
of the earth, soon caught the inquisitive and attentive 
ear of our departed brother. Having himself tasted 
that** the Lord is gracious," he hailed, with rapture, 
the introduction of the time, when " all flesh shall see 
the salvation of God." He longed to be engaged in so 
good a cause ; and before the time had arrived which 
gave birth to this Institution among us, he was engaged, 
with others, in counsel, and pecuniary support to aid in 
furthering the interests of missions, and translations in 
the East. 



48 A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 

When the time drew on which presented a favourable 
aspect towards the good work in this city, he was 
among the foreraost to embrace it. His arms, and his 
house were opened. He gathered round him the min- 
isters of the altar, who, in union with himself, drew 
up the Constitution and Rules, which bind us together. 
Of this Society, thus organized, he was chosen one of 
the Vice-Presidents. This office he filled with digni- 
ty, activity and zeal, until the exening of Tuesday, the 
14th ult. when he fell asleep in Jesus ! On Mondaj 
the 13lh, at the last monthly meeting of the Board of 
Managers, he zealously advocated, and successfully 
supported the measure proposed, the object of which 
was to send the Scriptures, in their native language, to 
the destitute French, in the state of Louisiana ; and in 
thirty hours he was called to sit down with Abraham 
on the Mount of God ! In the silent mansion of the 
tomb, his "flesh rests in hope," after having served 
his generation fiOj-eight years and eleven months. 
And now farewell, thou man of God ! We will dry up 
our tears, and return to our work, waiting with patience 
till our Lord shall coine ! 

" Now unto him wlio is able to keep us from falling, 
and to present us faultless before the presence of his 
glory with exceeding joy : to the only wise God, our 
Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, 
both now and ever. Ajvien." 



SERMON.* 



Mark xvi. 15. 

AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLDS 
AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. 

" ijroD, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, 
spake in time past unto the fathers, by the prophets," 
was pleased, under the last dispensation of his grace, 
to speak nnto the world by his Son. To him, indeed, 
before his appearance, all the prophets gave witness, 
and were raised up by God, for this very purpose, to 
foretel the coming of the Messiah, whom God had 
promised from the earliest times ; and by preaching the 
doctrine of repentance, gradually to prepare the world 
to receive him as the infallible Teacher, and only Sa- 
viour of men. Of him Moses spake, when he said to 
the fathers, " A prophet shall the Lord your God 
raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me : hioi 
shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say un- 
to you." And the salvation which he was to bring to 
the world, was, to those who prophesied of it, a sub- 
ject of their own careful and delightful inquiry. For 
of this salvation, as we are told by the apostle Peter,f 
the prophets have inquired and searched diligently 

* This sermon, now published for the fii'st time, was preached by Dr. 
Keith, Nov. 30, 1788, the Lord's day after his inaugurntion, as one of the 
€0-pastors of the Congregational, or Independent Church, iu Charleston, 
South Carolina. 

1 1 Ep. i. 1©, 

7 



'S# INAUGURATION SERMON. 

who prophesied of the grace which should come unt# 
yon; "searching what, or what manner of time, the 
Spirit of Christ, which was in them did signify, when 
it testified beforehand, the sufferings of Christ, and 
the glory that should follow." So that unto the people 
of former ages, and under the old dispensation, was the 
gospel preached by the ministry of the prophets. 

But the revelation of ibis blessed system of religion^ 
or dispensatiou of divine grace, which was made to 
them, and by them communicated to the people, to 
whom they were sent, was extremely defective and 
obscure, compared with the fuller measure, and bright- 
er glory, with which it was published by Christ him- 
self, when in the fulness of time, he appeared in the 
world as the Author and finisher of our faith, as well an 
of the eternal redemption of all who obey him. Bless- 
ed were the eyes of those who saw, and the ears of 
those who heard with faith, this divine Instructorj 
when, in the days of his personal ministry, he " went 
about all the cities and villages of Judea, teaching and 
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of grace." These 
were the things which many prophets and righteous 
men of earlier ages desired to see and hear, but did not 
see and hear them. 

Yet the divine plan of that salvation, of which he was 
the Author, and which was revealed by him with so much 
brighter evidence and glory, than the world bad ever 
before beheld, was still only begun to be spoken by 
our Lord. His abode on earth was of short duration | 
and his public personal ministry, was soon terminated, 
By the death to which, according to the divine councils, 
he was delivered up, and which formed an essential ancf 



IlfAUGURATION SERMON. 51 

principal part of the scheme of our redemption. And 
having thus, in the appointed way, finished the work 
which was given him to do, he was then, as the due re- 
ward of his services, received up into Heaven, to sit at 
the right hand of God the Father, whom he had so em- 
inently glorified on earth, and to possess forever, the 
glory which he had enjoyed with the Father before the 
world was. 

But that the knowledge and the blessings of jhe re- 
demption, thus accomplished, might be effectually dif- 
fused among mankind, he was pleased, before his as- 
cension to his glorified state, to institute the ordinance 
of the gospel ministry, and to commit to chosen men, 
the office of publishing fully and extensively to the 
world, the great salvation, which began to be spoken by 
himself. This important commission, as it was first de- 
livered to his chosen Apostles, (together with the im- 
plied power of delegating to others, duly qualified, the 
same great trust) we have recorded in the words be- 
fore us. 

" And he said unto them. Go ye into all the world, 
and preach the gospel to every creature.'' 

Before this period, as our Saviour's own ministry 
had been chiefly confined to the landof Judea, so when 
he had at any time sent forth his disciples to preach his 
gospel, it was only to the lost sheep of the house of Is- 
rael ; for they were forbidden to go into the way of the 
Gentiles, or into any city of the Samaritans. But now, 
the time being come, when he who was the glory of the 
people of Israel, might also be made known with every 
advantage, as a light to lighten the Gentiles ; they were 
furnished with a new commission, or with powers vastly 
enlarged beyond those which had been formerly giveii 



52 INAUGURATION SERMON. 

them. They were authorized to go into all the world, 
to travel into all quarters of the habitable earth, and 
preach the gospel of Christ to every creature ; to the 
Geniiles, as well as to the Jews, to every creature of 
the human human race capable of receiving it. Ac- 
cordingly we find, that in obedience to their Lord's 
command, they went forth and preached every where, 
" the Lord working with them, and confirming the word 
with signs following." Such were their diligence and 
success, in the execution of their office, that the vast 
spread, and amazing progress of the gospel, published 
by them, are represented by an angel flying through 
the midst of heaven, and preaching the everlasting gos- 
pel to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and peo- 
ple. 

That the blessings of this divine religion, might 
not only be diffused far and wide among that genera- 
tion, but be transmitted to all future generations of 
men ; the same commission, which was originally giv- 
en to the Apostles, included in it the authority or pow- 
er, which they accordingly exercised, of ordaining 
others, to assist them in carrying on effectually the 
great and benevolent design of their own appointment: 
and to them, and their regular and faithful successors, 
was that special and most encouraging promise of our 
Lord made, " Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the 
end of the world.'* 

Hence it is at that you of this day, are favoured with 
the privilege of hearing the gospel, and that to us, your 
servants for Jesus sake, is committed the sacred office 
oi preaching it to all who will attend our ministrations. 

But what is to be understood by preaching the gos- 
pel'^ This I shall endeavour to shew in a few instances ; 



INAlTGURATIOTf SERMOIf. 53 

and then suggest a reflection or two for the improve- 
ment of the subject; and conclude the whole with a 
short Address to you, suited to the occasion of my en- 
tering upon the exercise of my ministry among you. 

What is to be understood by preaching the gospel ? 

1. That we carefully teach, and inculcate the great 
and important truths, the pure and distinguishing doc- 
trines of the Christian religion. The gospel, in its 
most usual and proper sense, signifies that eminent dis- 
covery, which God has made of his mercy and grace, 
through his Son Jesus Christ, to fallen man. With 
peculiar propriety, therefore, is it expressed in the 
original language of the New Testament, by a word 
which signifies Good News. Now by the doctrines of 
this dispensation of grace, we are taught to consider 
mankind, as by nature, in a state of alienation from God ; 
deeply depraved, averse to holiness, and prone to sin ; 
and by sin exposed to innumerable afflictions in this 
life, to the penalty of death, and the miseries of an ever- 
lasting hell : that in this situation, God so pitied and 
loved the hunian race, as to send his only begotten Son 
into the world, in the character of a Saviour, that who- 
soever should believe in him, might not perish, but 
have everlasting life: that in concurrence with this be- 
nevolent design, the Son of God consented, and con- 
descended to become man, by assuming our nature in- 
to a personal union with his own divinity ; and after 
yielding, in this assumed nature, a perfect obedience 
to the divine law, which man had broken, to be deliv- 
ered up for us all, to the death of the cross, in order to 
make atonement for the sinner's guilt by his blood, or 
" to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.*' That 
to become partakers of this salvation, we must believe 



54 INAUGURATION SERMON. 

in Christ, repent of our sins, and obey his laws. That, 
seeing we are not of ourselves able to comply with these 
terms, the same Jesus, who once made his soul an offer- 
ing for sin, is now exalted, " a Prince and a Saviour, 
to give repentance and remission of sins;" and bj his 
Spirit, who is promised and sent down inlo the world, 
to those who will receive him ; renews and sanctifies 
the hearts of men, and forms them to the love of God 
and man, and to the practice of that universal holiness, 
which becomes the gospel of Christ ; and that from the 
throne of his glory, to which he is now exalted, as Head 
over all things to his church, and on which he sits as 
a Priest, interceding for his people, and dispensing the 
gifts, the graces, and the blessings which he purchased 
for them with his blood ; he shall, at the appointed time, 
come again in the character of a Judge, " taking ven- 
geance on those who obey not the gospel," but to be 
glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that be- 
lieve ; and to receive his faithful followers to the full 
possession of the unspeakable glories, and joys of his 
everlasting kingdom. 

Such, I conceive, to be the substance of the gospel. 
These are the blessed doctrines of grace, which distin- 
guish and exalt Christianity above any system of reli- 
gion, suggested by the light of nature, or framed by the 
reason of man. In preaching the gospel, therefore, it 
becomes us to remember, that these are the doctrines, 
which as ministers of Christ, we are called to publish to 
the world, even the doctrines which God has revealed 
by his Son, and which teach us what Christ has done 
for man, and how man must through him be saved. 

It is this gospel that exhibits human nature, in conse- 
quence of the fall of Adam, as lying low in ruinsjdeep- 



UfAtTGURATIOir SERMOPT, 55 

ly involved in guilt and misery : that illustriously dis- 
plays the grace and the glory of our God and Sa- 
viour, in the contriv ance and accomplishment of our re- 
demption, by Jesus Christ, who was once cruciBed for 
the sins of men, but is now highly exalted, and crowned 
with all the glory and honors becoming the Redeemer, 
the Lord and the Judge of the world : that teaches us 
to seek the salvation of our souls, and acceptance with 
God, only through faith in him, inasmuch as there is 
no other name under heaven, given among men, where- 
by any can be saved : that requires us to live soberly, 
righteously, and godly in the world, as it becomes those 
for whom he gave himself, that he might by his blood 
redeem them from all iniquity, and by his Spirit purify 
them unto himself, a peculiar people, zealous of good 
works : that enforces the practice of every duty 
and virtue, by the most solemn and interesting motives, 
drawn from the authority, the love, and mercy of our 
Maker and Redeemer; from the awful terrors of his 
law, and the alluring promises of his grace ; from the 
regards which we owe to ourselves and our fellow-men, 
in this world ; and from the hope of that heaven of incon- 
ceivable happiness, which awaits the good, and the fear 
of that hell of unspeakable misery^ prepared for the 
wicked, in the world to come.-^It is this gospel^ which 
our Lord commanded to be preached to all the worlds 
and which, in the Apostles' days, proved so mighty 
through God, to the pulling down the strong holds of Sa» 
tan in the hearts of meUj and was instrumental of so 
gloriously establishing and enlarging his kingdom in the 
world. It is this gospel, which in every succeeding agCj' 
has been prospered to the same desirable ends. It is 
this gospel, which must be still preached by all wh© 



56 INAUGURATION^ SERMON. 

minister in the name, and in the church of Christ, as 
they would desire and hope to see their ministrations, 
succeeded by his blessing in the promotion of those 
great objects, which this divine religion is so admirably 
fitted, and so specially designed, to advance. 

2. In preaching the gospel, it concerns us, with all 
prudence and fidelity, to divide aright the wbrd of 
truth, and give to the respective classes of our hearers, 
their proper portion in due season. It is not sufficient 
to preach the doctrines, the precepts, the promises, 
and the threatenings of the gospel, in one general view, 
^s if these were all equally addressed to all men ; but 
that these may produce their proper, and full effect, it 
is requisite to direct the application of them, more es- 
pecially and pointedly to the different characters and 
conditions of our hearers, to which they are especially 
adapted. In this way alone, can we reasonably prom- 
ise ourselves much success in our attempts to convince, 
or persuade, to minister reproof or consolation. In 
order to attain these objects in any considerable degree, 
we must consider carefully, and endeavour to distin- 
guish wisely, a variety of different circumstances in the 
conduct, and the situation of those whom we address, 
and to accommodate ourselves to these, in such a man- 
ner, as that every one's conscience may perceive at 
once where the discourse is pointed, and be led to apply 
it accordingly, for instruction, correction, or comfort. 
I cannot now take notice of any of the more particular 
distinctions in the characters and circumstances of men, 
which call for an attentive and skilful management of 
our public and private addresses j but I shall take 
leave to observe, that there is one general and raOre 
important distinction of characters, which we should 



IN^AUGURATIOPT SERMON^. 57 

never lose sight of ourselves, and to which it beconi.es 
us to keep the attention of our heareis, ever directed ; 
I inean the essential and vast difference between a sin- 
cere Christian, and an iaipenilent sinner ; between one 
who i:^ in a sta^e of corrnpt nature, unrenewed, and un- 
sanciified ; and one who»e heart is purified by t\ifh in 
Christ, and whose life is adorEied with the beauties and 
the fruits of holinebs ; between one who is only born 
of the flesh, and is a child of wrath ; and one who is born 
again of the Spirit, and is become a child of God, a 
mernber of Chrisf, and an heir of heaven. The nature, 
the importance of this distinction of characters ; i he ab- 
solute necessity, the happy fruits and consequences of 
this efTectual change of the heart and the life ; the 
miserable situation of those who have not experienced 
it; the certain condemnation under which they now 
abide; and the awful judgment and doom hereafter 
awaiting them, if* they fly not to the hope set before them 
in the gospel; these should be often inculcated, and fer- 
vently impressed upon (he conscience, as we would 
hope, that the gospel may be made an instrument, in 
the hand of God, (o open the eyes of men, and turn 
them from darkness to light, and from the power of 
Satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of 
their sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanc- 
tified by i^aith that is in Christ Jesus. 

Thus plainly laying before men the declarations of the 
word of God, concerning their respective states and 
characters, and rightly dividing to them the word of 
truth, in which they are particularly and most deeply- 
interested, we shall approve ourselves faifhftil and wise 
stewards in the household of God, or church of Christ | 
and have ground to hope, that tne word thus faithfully 
8 



58 irTAlTGURATION SERMOrr. 

and judiciously dispensed, will be accompanied with 
his efficacious blessing, and thereby rendered truly and 
eminently profitable to our hearers. 

3. In preaching the gospel, it is required of us, that 
we make the glory of God, in the salvation of men, the 
great end to which our ministrations, and our aims are 
habitually directed. We must seek, not our own glo- 
ry, but the glory of him who sent us ; we must labour 
to promote, not our own temporal interests, but the 
eternal interests of those to whom we are sent. We 
must remember that we are ambassadors for Christ, ap- 
pointed to entreat and persuade you in Christ's stead, 
and as thongh God did beseech you by us, to be recon- 
ciled to God. This is our proper business ; this is the 
great and good end of the pastoral office which we hold ; 
and he who loses sight of this, or proposes to himself 
any end that is not subservient to, or consistent with 
this, whatever applause, or advantages he may securs 
to himself from his fellow-men, he cannot be styled a 
true preacher of the gospel, nor receive the final re- 
ward of the good and faithful servant of Christ. 

4. In preaching the gospel, it must be the study and 
endeavour of its ministers, to recommend it to the esteem 
and practice of others, by their own example. 

So important and powerful is the influence of exam- 
ple, to enforce instruction on every subject of a prac- 
tical nature, that it is considered as a certain truth, es- 
tablished by long observation and experience, and has 
therefore become proverbial, that *' example teaches 
more than precept." In common life, every one knows 
how much more easily and speedily we learn to trans- 
act any business, by seeing it done, than by being mere- 
ly informed, though ever &o particularly and fully, how 



UyTAUGITRATTOlSr SERM019^. S% 

It GU^ht to be done. The case is the same in matters 
of religion. The most just and pleasing delineations of 
the principles and duties of Christianity, will usually be 
found to have but a small and slow effect, in forming 
persons to a correspondent practice, compared with the 
living character of the Christian, exhibited in the tem- 
per and conduct of those who profess the religion of 
Christ ; and especially of those who are called, and who 
undertake to preach it to others. Those sublime vir- 
tues and graces of Christianity, which, when properly 
represented in description, cannot fail to appear to be 
in themselves, truly excellent and desirable,-are at the 
same time too commonly considered as impracticable, 
and unattainable to the generality of mankind. But 
when they see them actually exemplified by men like 
themselves, and in the same condition with themselves, 
they no longer despair of reaching the attainments, 
which they see others have made before them ; and 
their emulation, resolution, and endeavours, are awaken- 
ed to go and do likewise, to imitate the pattern set be- 
fore them. 

This was one reason why our blessed Lord, the au- 
thor and finisher of our faith, when he came into the 
world to fulfil, among other offices of a Saviour, that of 
a Teacher of the will of God, and the duty of man, 
condescended to be made in (he likeness of men, and to 
become like to his brethren in all things, that in our 
nature, he might present us with a visible and familiar 
example of what we ought to be and to do ; so that to 
comply with the doctrines which he taught, and the 
laws which he prescribed, we might have only to follow 
his steps, and to walk as he also walked. For this 
purpose, also, it pleased the only wise God,^our Sa- 



60 INAUGURATION SERMOJf. 

viour, to commit (he dispensation and ministry of tbe 
go.spel, not to angels, but to men, possessed of ibe same 
nature, powers, and passions with other men, thaJ by 
exemplifying in their own conduct, the religion which 
thfey preached, they might shew it to be as pracfical>le, 
as it is divine and i^miable. Hence we find St. Paul, 
ofsen charging and entreating his converts in such ian- 
gUrTge as this : ** Be follo^vers of me, even as [ a/n of 
Cririsl." *< Mark those who walk so, as ye have 
us for an example." And again, "Those things vThich 
ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and 
seen in nae, do."^^ And on this principle, he earnest- 
ly recommends it to Timothy. *' Be then an example 
of the believers in word, in conversation, in cbarifyj 
in spiriJ, in faith, in purity. Take heed unto thyself, 
and to ihy doctrine; continue in Christ, for in doing 
this, thou shalt both save thyself, and those that hear 
ihee."t 

Thus to take heed to ourselves, that oiir own con- 
duct may in all respects, correspond to our doctrine, 
that we may be not only blameless, and harmless, and 
without rebuke, so as to give no offence to Jews or 
Gentiles; to believers of different sentiments, or names ; 
to those who are strong or weak in the faith; to the 
friends or the enemies of our religion ; but to shine 
among all as the lights of the world, and be examples 
in all things to the flock committed to our care ; and 
by our good works engage those who behold them, to 
glorify our Father who is in heaven, in their cordial re- 
ception of, and obedience to, the gospel of his Soo, 
■which we preach: th«s is certainly one of the most 
difficult, as it is one of the most important, parts of our 

* i Cor. xi. I ; Phil. iii. 17 ;— iv. 9. f 1 Tinj. iv. 



INAUGURATION SERMON. 61 

sacred work. This calls for all the wisdooi of the ser- 
pen?, iinifed wi(h all the innocence of the dove. This 
reqiiires the utmost ciicumspection and diligence, in 
every duty of our profession and office, thai we n»ay 
neither be barren, nor unfruitful in the knowledge of 
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, or in the ministry 
of fhe gospel with which he hath entrusted us, for the 
purpose of winning the souls of others to him, and to 
his salvation. 

May the gracious Master whom we serve, compas- 
sionate and forgive the many infirmities and failings of 
those, whom he hath employed in this difficuli service, 
and by his Spirit, form them more and more, to that 
heavenly mind, which was in himself; and conform them 
more perfectly and fully to that bright example, which 
he has left in every thing, that is most excellent and 
praiseworthy; so that while adorning in all things the 
doctrine of Gud, (heir Saviour, they may, with pe- 
culiar propriety and persuasive force, call upon all to 
whom they preach the gospel, to be followers of them, 
as they are of Christ. 

REFLECTIONS. 

1. From the review of what has now been said on 
this subject, it will appear how important, and at the 
same time how arduous, is the work to which the min- 
isters of the gospel are called. It is truly, as St. Paul 
observes to Timothy, a good work.^ It is a work, 
whose great object, is to carry on the same desis^n of 
eternal love and mercy to mankind, for which the 
Son of God became man, and lived and died in our 

* 1 Tim. iii. 1. 



6*2 irfAITGURATIOJf SERMON. 

nature; even the recovering of the race of men from 
the ruins of their fallen condition, to the blessings of 
that life, which man originally enjoyed in the favour of 
his Maker, and the conducting of many sons and daugh- 
ters, who become the children of God through faith in 
Christ, in the highway of holiness, to the glory of his 
everla.sting kingdom ; to that blessed life and immortali- 
ty, which our Saviour has brought to light through his 
gospel. 

But in proportion to the important nature, and the 
most benevolent design of the gospel ministry, are the la- 
bours and the difficulties attending the faithful execu- 
tion of it. When those who are called to this service, 
consider the necessity thai is laid upon them to preach 
the pure, and the whole gospel ; and no other doc- 
trines, than those of the genuine gospel of Christ; the 
prudence and fidelity required of them, in dividing aright 
the word of truth, and giving to each their portion in 
due season, in order to warn the wicked, awaken the 
secure, shake the false hope of the hypocrite, establish 
the weak believer, and pour the oil of joy into the dis- 
consolate hearts of mourners in Zion ; — the upright 
motives by which they are to be actuated, and the 
great ends which they are ever to keep in view, not 
the applause of men, or the gain of the world, but the 
glory of God, and the eternal interests of mankind ;- — and 
the bright example of piety, righteousness, andgoodness, 
and of every Christian grace and virtue, by which they 
are to adorn and recommend the religion which they 
preach : when they consider ihe unspeakable worth of 
the souls committed to their care, and the various oppo- 
sition with which they have to contend, in their attempts 
to win them over to Christ and salvation, and to lead 
them on in the ways of God, and their duty ; from the 



iJTAUGURATIOff SERMOiy* 63 

passions and prejudices of men, from the charms, and 
the terrors of the world, when it smiles or frowns upon 
them, and from the temptations, and the arts of the 
Spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience, and 
still labours to seduce and pervert the faithful from the 
course of their obedience; and when (hey take into 
view the solemn, and particular account which (hey 
must ^ive at (helastday, to thegreat Headof thechurchj 
even the Lord Jesus Christ, (heir Master and (heir 
Judge of the ministry) and of (he souls with which he 
has entrusted them .-—When (hey seriously and at- 
tentively weigh these things, well may they, from a 
consciousness of their own weakness, and deficiencies, 
and under an affecting sense of the arduous and inter- 
esting nature of (heir work and charge, feel themselves 
constrained to say, in the language of St. Paul, " Who 
is suflScient for these things ?"— In themselves, ^hey 
are, indeed, utterly insufficient for them: but this is 
their encouragement, and it is fully equal to their ut* 
most necessities and wishes, that their sufficiency is of 
God, and that their Lord has promised them his con* 
slant presence and assistance, that through Him 
strengthening them they can do all things which he re- 
quires of them in his service ; and that when He who 
13 the chief Shepherd, shall appear, they shall receive 
a crown of glory, which fadeth not away, and that shall 
eminently exalt and distinguish those, who have turned 
many to righteousness, or whose labours, (o that end, 
have been uniformly employed with becoming zeal and 
fidelity. Happy indeed, happy beyond expression, 
is the minister of Christ, who obtains mercy of the 
Lord, to be faithful to his sacred and important trust, 
and through whose instruQientality, many are added to 



64 INAUGURATION SERMOrf 

that number which shall be saved; and fo whom lie 
can address himself, in the animated language of the 
Apostle, and sav, — " What is our hope, or joy, or 
crown of rejoicing ? Are not even ye in the presence 
of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming ?" 

2. What has been said, may serve to instruct those 
who are hearers of the wo^d, what sort of preaching 
they are to expect of their ministers, and ought chiefly 
to de.=iire and value. If the pure doctrines of (he gos- 
pel, in their simplicity, are to be the subjects of our 
sermons, it follows that you should nei?her expect, nor 
desire any other ; nor suppose that the want of these, 
can ever be supplied by any philosophical speculations, 
or flowers of htitnan eloquence; or, as the Apostle ex- 
presses it, with any " enticing words of man's wisdom." 
It is not the declaring of the tesHmony of God, with 
the excellency of speech, or of the wisdom of this 
world ; but the preaching of Jesus Christ, and him 
crucified, in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power, 
that alone can prove effectual, throu'^h the blessins: of 
Gorl, to save your so'ds. And as you would wish to 
experience, in this w-xy, the saving efficacy of such 
doctrine, while you give us the pleasure and encour- 
agement of your attendance on our ministrations, and 
of a candid hearing of the word dispensed by us, let 
us be favoured, at the same time, with the assistance 
of your prayers ; that God would open unto us a door 
of uUerance, to speak the mystery of Christ ; and that 
the preaching of Christ crucified, which has been to 
the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks fool- 
ishness, may be to you the power of God, and the 
wisdom of God, for your salvation. Asd fun her, 
let your fervent prayers be offered up to the Lord, 
that his word may have free course, and be glorifiedj 



INAUGURATION SERMON. 65 

liof only wi/h you, but among all men ; Ihat the gos- 
pel may be preached to every creature of the human 
rare, and thaf all who hear its joyful sound, may believe 
its divine doctrines, and be saved. 

You have heard something, of the nature of the gos- 
pel, and of the manner in which it is to be preached ; 
and as the preaching of thi-^ gos()el forms an e inent 
part of the sacred service, in which 1 have been called, 
and an now received, to be employed as one of your 
mitnsters. I shall take leave to conclude this discouise, 
with a short Address to you, suited to the occasion of 
my entering, upon the exercise of my ministry among 
you. 

On an occasion so important, as (hat of my taking up- 
on me my part in the pastoral charge of your souls, a 
variety of interesting thoughts, will naturally arise in 
the reflecting mind ; and much more twhht be easily 
and pertinen'ly said on the subject, than I shall at 
present attempt. Without a few wuirds, however, I 
n»ight appear to be scarcely just to myself, and should 
certainlv be wanting in the respect due to )ou. 

The honor which I conceive was conferred upon me, 
by the call which you were pleased to address to me, 
I acknowledge with the sensibility of a \^ery grateful 
heart. The terms in which it was dictated, I then con- 
sidered, and some experience has since given me addi- 
tional cause to consider, as the language of ^incerityj, 
and happily expressive of that spirit of Christian piety^ 
friendship, and affection, which a minister of Christ 
must ever wish and rejoice to find in the people whom 
he is called to «;erve in the gospel. The best return 
that I can make for all the testimonies arid expressions 

of your favourable senliments, and kiud regards, which 
9 ^ 



66 INAUGURATION SERMON. 

have been already bestowed upon me, or which I may 
yet hope to experience, from a people, whose friendly and 
affectionate conduct towards their ministers, has been 
long honourably distinguished, will be, to devote myself 
with a zealous and affectionate heart, to the service of 
your souls, in the advancement of your spiritual and 
eternal interests and happiness. And 1 trust and hope, 
that I shall not be found altogether wanting in that 
Christian and cordial love, and attachment to you, 
which will dispose and lead me, in this way, very glad- 
ly to spend and be spent for you. 

Many deficiencies, I am sensible, you will discern in 
the exercise of my ministry, as well as in other in- 
stances. From a consciousness of these, it was not 
without much diflSculty, that my own consent was ob- 
tained, to take part in the pastoral care of so large and 
important a branch of the Christian Church. To this, 
however, I was encouraged, primarily by the promises 
of the Great Head of the Church, that he will always 
be with his ministers, whenever and wherever they are 
employed by his Providence, and that he will not re- 
quire more than he has given, but graciously accept 
them, according to what they have io offer, or are able 
to do, in his service. In subordination to this divine 
encouragement, was that derived from the persuasion, 
of ray finding with yoir that candor and indulgence, 
which would lead you kiudly to overlook, or bear with, 
my infirmities, and benevolently to accept my well 
meant endeavours to serve you ; and from the consid- 
eratiort, that I was not to be engaged alone in the ardu- 
ous undertaking 5 but to be associated with one, whose 
worthy character and useful labours, have justly ac- 
j^uired him that approbation, esteem and influeece^ 



UTAUGURATIONT SERMON". 6? 

which he happily enjoys with you, and from whose 
friendly and good offices, in various ways, I promised 
myself many advantages. 

With him, under whose ministrations you have al- 
ready enjoyed several h^ppy, and I hope, not unprofit- 
able years ; it is my earnest wish, it is ray sincere res- 
olution, and I trust, through grace, it will be my con- 
stant endeavour, to maintain the most cordial harmo- 
ny, in carrying on the great design of our common 
ministry. And to every proper measure that may be 
used by us, to cultivate a friendly and atfectionate 
union, and to encourage each others hearts, and strength- 
en each others hands in this great and good work. I 
am persuaded you will always add every countenance 
and aid, which you can give. Your fervent prayers, 
it is hoped, will ever be united with our own, that we 
may be ever animated as by one soul, that we may al- 
ways speak the truth in love, as with one mouth ; and 
that we may constantly and uniformly aim, and with 
abundant success, at the same great object, the glory 
of God, in your salvation. And whatever different 
powers, gifts, or qualifications, we may possess, you 
will not, on this account, we trust, ever think of de- 
claring yourselves one for Paul, and another for Apol- 
los; but still consider us as instruments only of a dif- 
ferent form, used by the same God of all grace, and 
employed by the one only Head of the Church, 
in the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the 
body, or the Church of Christ ; and whether we plant 
or water, prove instrumental to the conversion of sin- 
ners, or to the edification of believers, you will consid- 
er God alone as the Author of all the fruits or sue- 



bS INAUGURATION SERMON. 

cesses of our respective services, and give Him the 
praise who ^ivetii the increase. 

The pastoral reiasion in which I am now united with 
you, I consider as one of the most important and 
tender, that can take place between men on earth ; and 
conformably to the very interesting nature of the con- 
nexion, 1 trust, my heart will ever feel the tenderest 
interest in your concerns. For your prosperity, and 
especially that your souls may be in health, and pros- 
per in the divine life, I shall ever fervently pray, and 
in all your afflictions and distresses, whether as a So- 
ciety or as individuals, I shall ever be ready to bear 
a sympathetic part. In the God of your salvation, in 
■whose favour is your life, and who>e loving kindness is 
better th-in life, may you find that joy, in w hich ( would 
always wish to rejoice with you, and the consolation, 
which you may need under all those sorrows in which I 
may be called to weep with you, may you also find in 
the same God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all com- 
fort who alone is able, and who will be found always 
ready to comfort you, ifyouare not waniing to your- 
selves, in all your tribulations. 

The ministry received of the Lord Jesus Christ, to 
testify the gospel of the grace of God, which 1 have 
DOW begun to exercise among you, it will, I trust, be 
my aim so to fulfil, through the whole course of it, 
whether that may be long or short, that i may finish 
it with joy — May I obtain m.ercy of the Lord to be 
faithful in the discharge of it, so that when it comes to 
be concluded among you, I may be able, in the 
languaiie of Sl Paul, to take you to record, that "I 
am pure from the blood of all men," having not shunned 



IxVAUGUBATrON SERMON, 69 

(o declare unto you <he whole counsel of God, nor kept 
back any ibing Ihaf appeared lo be profitable to you ; 
and uniformly inculcddng, as the scope and tendency 
of all uiy preaching, repentance fowards G<)d, and faith 
towards our liord Jesus Christ. I5y your receiving 
the truth, thus preached, in the lo\e of it, and wilh 
cordial obedience to il, le« me enlreat you, to afford me 
the best encouragement which you can aive in (his dif- 
ficult work ; and to bestow upon me the greatest hon- 
or and happiness, to which 1 can aspire among you, 
even that of cherishing the hope, the pleasing the ani- 
mating hope, that if I should be so successful as lo save 
my own soul, I may also rejoice in the day Chrisf, 
that I have not laboured in vain among you, but ha\e 
been in some measure instrumental to your salvation. 

Before I conclude, I cannot forbear expressing the 
pleasure which I feel, and my affectionate cougratula- 
tions* with a word of exhortation to you, on account 
of the prosperous circumstances in which I find ^ our 
Society at the present day, and the pleasing prospects 
which seem to be opened before you for the time to 
come. 

The increaslnsc numbers, and growing strength of 
your Church, and the successful exertions v.4)ich you 
have made under the many disadvantages in which 
you were in\olved by the calamities of an eventfjil, a/id 
to you of this place in particular, a most distressful 
war : to repair the ruins of your ancient house of wor- 
ship, and to complete the new building for the public 
service of God, which you have raised, and the com- 
fortable provision which you have made for the support 
of the ordinances of the gospel in ihem, are circum- 
stances highly honorable and fav orable to you. Not 



70 INAUGURATION SERMON. 

unto yourselves, however, not unto yourselves, but unto 
God, to whose kind and bountiful Providence you are 
so deeply indebted, let all the praise be ascribed, for 
his truth and his mercy's sake. 

Be not weary in well doing, but let your zeal be still 
unremittingly employed, in the same good cause of your 
church and your religion, on those worthy motives, and 
with those exalted views, which Christianity inspires ; 
and in this way encourage your hope, that he who has put 
it into your heart to do so much for the honor of his 
name, will remember your works and labours of piety 
and love, and will cause you to see more and more of 
the good of his chosen, and to rejoice and glory with 
encreasing joy and triumph, in the gladness and pros- 
perity of his church and inheritance.^ That he will 
abundantly bless the provisions of his grace, dispensed 
to you in the house which you have builded to his name, 
and add many to the number that sliall here be fed with 
the bread of life. 

And as you would desire and hope that he w^ould 
thus befriend and bless you, be careful that your hearts 
may ever remain united, in a sincere Christian friend- 
ship for each other, and that your mutual endeavours 
be employed in love, to serve one another, and to pro- 
mote the common interests of the whole body, of which 
you are members. This spirit of amity and concord, 
so congenial to the gospel, so well becoming a Christian 
society, will, in the nature of things, eminently contrib- 
ute to the stability and growth of your church, and the 
advancement of your religious edification and comfort ; 
and it will most certainly secure to you the divine pres- 

* Psalm 186. 



INAUGURATIONT SERMON. 71 

ence and favour, on which all your prosperity, tempo- 
ral and spiritual, ultimately depends. Be ye therefore 
of one mind, having the same love, be of one accord and 
live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be 
with you. 

To the grace of God I commend yoUj fervently pray- 
ing that the God of all grace, who hath called us unto 
his eternal glory by Christ Jesua, may make you per- 
fect, establish, strengthen, and settle you in the faith, 
the practice, the comforts, and the hopes of the gospel, 
on earth ; and finally receive you to dwell forever with 
the spirits of just men, made perfect, and with the gen- 
eral assembly and church of the first born, which are 
■written in heaven ; that you may serve him day and 
night, in complete holiness and fulness of joy, in his 
temple there. 

And now unto him who is able to keep you from fall- 
ing, and to present you faultless before the presence of 
his glory with exceeding joy, io the only wise God our 
Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and powers 
both now and ever. Amept. 



?iAT10NAL Afi-FLICTION, AKD NATIO]!?AL CONSOLATIOnJ 



A SERMON, 



ON THE DEATH OF 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON^ 

LATE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMIES; 

AND FORMERLY 

PRESIDENT OF TEE UNITED STATES 

OF AMERICA: 

Who Died at MOUNT VERNON, 

DECEMBER 14, 1799, 

IN THE 68th YEAR OF HIS 'AGE. 

DELIVERED JANUARY, 12th 1800, IN THE INDEPENDENT, OR CON- 
GREGATIONAL CHURCH, IN CHARLESTON, 
SOUTH CAROLINA. 

BY ISAAC STOCKTON KEITH, D.D. 

ONE OF THE PASTORS OF SAID CHURCH. 

PUBLISHED JBY REQUEST* 
10 



The fellowing sermon was printed at the time it was preached. The 
M,S was submitted to one of his respectable Parishoners, who returned it 
%vith the following Note. 

13th February, 1800. 
Dear Sir, 

1 have perused with much satisfaction the enclosed, and am of opinion, 
that it will not be less acceptable to the public eye, than it wa*s to the 
audience when it was delivered. I think it contains every thing that 
ought to be expected in a funeral sermon on the death of the late Gen- 
eral Washington. 

With very much esteem, 

Your obedient servant' 
Doctor Keith. 



SERMON 



DEATH OF 

GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON- 



I. CHRON. XXXV. 24, 

lEB FOR JOSIAH."^^ 



*^AND ALL JUDAH AND J^ERUSALEM MOURNEB FOR JOSI AH." ^J!^^*^ ^<2 ^' 



It is a verj solemn and afFecting scene, which is pre- 
sented to our view, in this portion of sacred history. 
Though a long series of ages has passed away since it 
took place, it cannot yet, be attentively reviewed, with- 
out exciting in the thoughtful mind, and feeling heart, 
many serious reflections and tender emotions. With 
every other part of Scripture, it was doubtless record- 
ed " for our learning," for our instruction and im- 
provement. It shews, particularly, in a striking point 
of light, how important to a community, are the life and 
services of a great and good prince ; or of a person 
holding a primary place in the government of his coun- 
try — and in that elevated station, distinguished by his 
superior talents, integrity, and public spirit ; and how 
heavy, and afflictive, is the loss sustained by a nation, 
when such a ruler and benefactor is " taken from its 
head," by the awful stroke of death. 

To these interesting reflections, we are unavoidably 
led by the consideration of the passage before us— 



r& 



SEBMON ON THE DEATH OP 



while we here behold the whole Jewish nation, with 
one consent, and as by one instantaneous impulse, as- 
suming the aspect, and exhibiting the tokens of the 
deepest affliction and mourning, on account of the death 
of their late king Josiah ; who was one of the worthiest 
and best, that ever reigned over them; and whose 
life, from his earliest years, had been employed, under 
the influence of I he purest and noblest principles, in pro- 
rriof ing the temporal and religious interests of his people. 

This good king was yet in the midst of his days, or 
in the vigor of his age, when it was his lot to receive a 
fatal wound, in a battle, to which he was probably led, 
by the terms of his alliance with the king of Israel, who 
was then tributary to the king of Babylon ; and there- 
fore bound to engage on the side of that monarch, in 
the war which was commenced against him by the king 
of Egypt. Of this wound Josiah died, immediately 
after bis return to Jerusalem ; and thus the flattering, 
and apparently well founded hopes of his people, I^or a 
much longer continuance of his reign, and of the multi- 
plied blessings which they derived from it, were sud- 
denly terminated in the most gloomy and painful disap- 
pointment. 

An event, so calamitous, might well be expected to 
diffuse the most afHicting sensations through the body 
of the nation ; for whose welfare he had shewn so ear- 
ly, so zealous, and so constant a concern. According- 
ly, the sacred historian heje informs us — that " AH 
Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah." The in- 
habitants of every part of the country, concurring with 
those of the capital city, the place of the royal resi- 
dence, in every becoming affecting demonstration of 
pqrrow, under this heavy national calamity. 



GENERAL eEOBGE tf'APHINGTOW. 72' 

If is added, fhal Jeremiah the prophet, particularly 
lamented for Josiah. This venerable prophet, as it 
became a servant of God, under that peculiar sacred 
character which he sustained, was fienetrated with the 
deepest grief for the loss of a prince, whose pious cares, 
and indefatigable exertions, were especially directed 
to the advancement of the cause of religion and virtue: 
a cause with which the peace and prosperity, and all 
the great interests of every community, as well as of 
every individual, are essentially and inseparably con- 
nected. And it is also mentioned, as another memora- 
ble circumstance of this national mourning for Josiah, 
that it was long perpetuated, by the institution of cer- 
tain solemn services, including, particularly, some 
elegiac compositions set to plaintive music, in commem- 
oration of an event, so mournful in its nature, and so 
afflicting in its consequences. 

In the history of mankind we sliall often find a re- 
markable similarity of events and circumstances, oc- 
curring in the most distant countries and periods of time. 

With this memorable mourping of the Jewish nation, 
for the loss of their eminently worthy and amiable Jo- 
siah ;— .how striking is the resemblance, that appears 
in the universal, unfeigned mourning^ now exhibited by 
the American people, for the loss of their great, and 
excellent, and beloved WASHINGTON ; whose life 
was one of the most valuable blessings of a beneficent 
Providence to his country, and whose death is justly^ 
lamented, as a great national affliction. 

When the man, whom God in his good providence, 
was pleased to honor, as the most distinguished instru- 
ment in his hand, for securing to the people of Ameri- 
oa, the liberty, civil and religious— the independence— 



7S SERMON ON THE DEATH OF 

the peace, and the prosperity, in the enjoyment of 
which, they are at this day, apparently, the most fa- 
vored, and happy nation in the world. When he, 
who, obedient to the Toice of his country, repeatedly, 
and with magnanimous self-denial, exchanged his be- 
loved domestic pursuits and enjoyments, for the most 
arduous stations of public trust and service : And in 
those stations victoriously led our armies through the 
vicissitudes of a most difficult and perilous revolution- 
ary war ; and ably, and successfully presided in the 
executive department of our national government, dur- 
ing many of the most eventful years of an unexampled, 
and awfully portentous crisis in Europe, in which our 
political and commercial interests were deeply involv- 
ed. When he, who in the favorite scenes of private 
life, in which he delighted to pass his tranquil days, 
whenever the safety and glory of his country permitted, 
displayed the beauty and loveliness of those finer 
feelings, and accomplishments, which dignify and adorn 
the gentleman, the philosopher, the friend, and the do- 
mestic character. When he, in a word, who first vin- 
dicated our rights, as men and christians, with his 
sword ; and then shielded them from the envious, hostile 
designs of powerful foreign nations, and the turbulence 
of restless intestine factions, by the wisdom of his 
counsels, the equity, moderation, and firmness of his 
measures ; and who uniformly shone pre-eminent in 
great talents, in disinterested patriotism, and in the lus- 
tre of his public and private virtues and usefulness : 

When such a man is removed by the 

supreme, righteous Disposer of all things, from every 
station of honorable trust, and important service among 
his fellow mortals— and from all the scenes of mortal!- 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 79 

ty ; — surely, it well becomes the nation, of which he 
was one of the brightest ornaments, and greatest bene- 
factors, to mourn with the feelings of undissembled, 
deep, and lasting sorrow ! 

In such a sorrow all the citizens of the United States, 
who really love their country — .with many in other na- 
tions, who possess the sensibilities of a feeling heart, 
and the genuine spirit of philanthropy, will bear a ten- 
der sympathetic part ; and sincerely mourn the father 
of his country, the patron of liberty, the friend of hu- 
manity — fallen under that stroke of death, to which the 
greatest, and most illustrious, equally with the feeblest, 
and most obscure of the human race, must finally bow. — ' 

Of the general mourning, which the death of a man, 
so eminently and honorably distinguished in life, might 
well be expected to produce — the most unequivocal 
tokens are exhibited, wherever the melancholy tidings 
of it have been spread abroad. The customary badges 
of grief, which indicate a near and valued friend de- 
parted ; together with the various, more public and 
solemn expressions of a nation's sorrows, proclaim, in 
the most affecting, and impressive language, that our 
illustrious and beloved WASHINGTON is numbered 
with the dead ; and that his country sensibly feels, and 
sincerely mourns, the deeply interesting, and afflicting 
event ! 

That the sorrows, which we share in common with 
our fellow-citizens, throughout the union, and with the 
friends of liberty and humanity generally, under this 
bereaving dispensation of Divine Providence, may be 
brought under the guidance of sober reflection and 
true wisdom, f^nd directed to some useful ends. — 

I shall endeavour, in the process of this discourse, 
to shew, 



M SERMON OSr THE DEATH OB* 

I. Why the death of great and worthy men, who 
have been eminently useful in their day, and especially 
In exalted stations of public trust and service, ought to 
be lamented ; and, 

II. What profitable improvement may be made of 
the event, which is the occasion of the present general 
moiirnirtsi; of our country.—- 

I. Why the death of great and worthy men, who 
have been eminently useful in their day, and especially 
in exalted stations of public trust and usefulness^ ought 
to be lamented.^— 

Now the death of such men may well be lamented* 

1. On account of the many and great evils which they 
are instrumental in averting from a people.—^ 

In the present fallen state of human nature, the pas- 
sions of men, their pride, their ambition — -their avarice, 
their love of criminal pleasure ; in a word, their sel- 
fishness, strongly impel them to deeds of injustice, 
oppression, — ^and violence.— By these vicious disposi* 
lions, individuals are often stimulated to bitter and 
deadly contentions ; — and communities, and nations, 
are plunged into all the outrages and calamities of 
public, and long protracted wars. If left to follow the 
impulse of these corrupt propensities of their fallen na- 
ture, without restraint or opposition, a ^ew of the 
strongest and most unprincipled, bringins: others, by 
force or artifice, into a subserviency to their views, 
would not hesitate, with the aid of such instruments of 
their will, to invade the rights, to seize the posses- 
sions, to sacrifice the lives of their fellow-men, in any 
extent which they raia;ht think expedient, or find prac- 
ticable, to the accomplishment of their own base and 
criminal purposes. 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 81 

feutas the great Ruler of the universe, has designed 
and formed mankind for the social state ; and has made 
their common mutual safety and welfare depend, in a 
great measure, upon that union and order which t:on- 
stitute the strength and beauty of society ;« — so he con- 
stantly exercises a secret control over all human in- 
clinations, projects, and enterpjizes. — And having the 
hearts of all men in his hands, he holds all their tumul- 
tuous imaginations, raging appetites, and furious pas- 
sions, continually subject to that irresistible authority 
and power, by which, when he pleases, he commands 
the stormy winds into a calm ; and says to the swelling 
boisterous sea, " Hitherto shalt thou come, but no 
farther ; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." 
In his government of mankind, however, and for the 
accomplishment of his wise designs, relating to them, 
he generally uses some visible means and subordinate 
agency, which have a natural fitness to bring about the 
worthy ends that he has proposed. In this view, he 
employs eminently the institutions of religion, and the 
ministers of his word, among the people, to whom he 
has been pleased to grant the distinguishing privileges 
and benefits of Divine Revelation. And in the nations 
generally, he raises up from time to time, particular 
persons, endued with some peculiar talents and dispo- 
sitions ; by which they are qualified to rule over their 
fellow-men. — and prompted to employ their power and 
influence, in providing for the common welfare of the 
great body of the people ; in restraining and quit^ting 
th^ turbulent members of the community ; and in dis- 
concerting the schemes, and repelling the assaults of 
their various enemies. 



82 SERMON" ON THE DEATH OF 

Thus — while the Supreme Governor of nations, 
sometimes elevates men of strong natural abilities, con- 
nected with the most vile, and profligate moral princi- 
ples, to great power,— ^nd then uses them as the sword 
in his hand, for chastising anj wicked and rebellious 
people, whom he determines to punish ;— he also, at 
his pleasFjre, calls forth, and advances to exalted sta- 
tions of authority and trust, men of superior talents 
and worthy character ; and by their instrumentality, 
shields or delivers a people, whom he chuses to favor^ 
from those violences or grievances, with which they 
may be menaced or oppressed. — By their friendly and 
successful agency, the nation, or community, with the 
care of whose interests they are intrusted, whether in 
the capacity of military commanders, or civil magis- 
trates, is rescued from the galling yoke of bondage— 
from the dreadful state of anarchy and confusion ; or 
from the final dissolution and utter ruin, to which it 
might otherwise be reduced, by the folly and wicked- 
ness of many of its own members ; or by the all grasp- 
ing ambition, and insatiable cupidity of foreign hostile 
nations and potentates. 

Such are the men, whom " the Lord Most High—' 
Who is the ^reat King over all the earth," often 
" gives to a people, according to his manifold mercies, 
to be," under himself, " their saviours ;'* to be " the 
ministers of Gad, for" eminent ** good," to them in a 
state of peace ; and his chosen instruments, for "sav- 
ing them out of the hand of their enemies," in a trme of 
war. When, iberefore^ men thus specially qualifiedy 
anil called to fill J he most exalted and important stations, 
in the service of their country ; and thus employed^ 
under the direction of Divine Providence, in averting 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 83 

from it the most formidable and destructive evils, are 
removed by death ; the afflictive event is doubtless to 
be regarded, as justly demanding the tears of a be- 
reaved people-^as worthy of being lamented with every 
dignified expression of unfeigned national sorrow. 

I proceed to observe, on the other hand, that the 
death of such valuable defenders, and guardians of a 
people, is to be thus lamented. 

2dly. On account of the eminent benefits, which 
their instrumentality is employed by the good provi- 
dence of God, in securing to their country. 

Many of the reflections, which we would be here 
naturally led to pursue, have been, in some degree, al- 
ready anticipated, in the observations suggested under 
the preceding branch of this discourse. 

The necessity of the institution and support of gov- 
ernment, among mankind, is universally acknowledged ; 
and its utility has been recommended by the experi- 
ence of all nations, in all ages. So far as any system 
of government is adapted to unite a people in a slate of 
order and peace^^to enforce the principles and rules of 
justice among them — and to secure them from the mis- 
chievous designs of their enemies, it is sanctioned by 
the approbation of Heaven ; and its establishment is 
to be regarded, as an important public blessing, by the 
people who enjoy it. 

Between different systems of human government, 
there is indeed as wide a difference, as between the 
meanest hut, raised by the rude sav^age, merely for his 
defence from the attacks of beasts of prey, or the inju^ 
rious effects of inclement elements and seasons ; and 
the noblest edifice, erected by the ingenious artist, 
combining requisite strength, with pleasing proportions 



34 SKRMON ON THE DEATH OF 

and chaste ornamenf, and adapted to afford the most 
secure and comfortable accouitnodation to its inhabi- 
tants. But for directing well, and applying efficacious- 
ly, the powers of the best constitution of government, 
h is obvious, that none are properly qualified, but 
those who possess peculiar abilities for the manage- 
ment of public affairs : And it is equally certain, that on 
the moral principles, which direct their conduct, the 
welfare of the community very much depends. Wheth- 
er they are charged with the administration of the civ- 
il, or military affairs of their country ; having its great 
interests committed to their care, and its resources 
placed in their hands ; they are at once laid under pe- 
culiar obligations, and enjoy peculiar advantages, for 
studying and promoting the public good ; and when 
possessed of those united qualities of the head and the 
heart, which distinguish great and worthy rulers and 
commaaders— the public good will be the favorite ob- 
jecl of their regard and pursuit — -and in the ordinary 
course of things, will be greatly advanced by their 
agency. In their superior station, distinguished by 
their great talents and virtues— ])y their knowledge of 
human nature, of its powers and weaknesses — of its 
passions and its wants— -and of the state of their own 
nation, considered in an abstract point of view, and in 
its relations to other countries— by their penetrating, 
accurate judgment, and enlarged, comprehensive view 
of things— by t tie wisdom of their counsels, and the 
rectitude of their measures — by the purity and ardor 
of their patriotism ; and by their active courage, and 
unyielding resolution, in meeting and surmounting the 
various and multiplied dangers, difficulties and trials, 
which they may have to encounter in their country's 



GENERAL 6E0RGB WASHINGTON. §5 

cause and service — they are eminently qualified, to 
teach the great boJy of the people, for whom they act, 
the nature and value of their civil and sacred rights, 
and privileges, and to guide and animate their exer- 
tions in the pursuit and defence of their true interests ; 
— and under the smiles of a favouring Providence, their 
instrumentality has a great effect, in securing and im- 
proving the most important national advantages. 

The desirable ends, which their high qualifications, 
and patriotic labours are thus adapted to accomplish, 
are further promoted by the powerful engaging influ- 
ence of their great example. For " as the going forth 
of the sun, is from the end of heaven, and his circuit 
unto the ends of it, and there is nothing hid from the 
heat thereof;" so the examples of great and good men^, 
moving in exalted spheres of public service, and use- 
fulness, diffuse their enlightening and enlivening beams^ 
through the wide exient of the land in which they bear 
rule ; and have an happy tendency to stimulate and 
allure the other members of the community, in subor- 
dinate stations, to imitate their conduct, in the cultiva- 
tion of a public spirit, and in the practice of whatsoever 
things are pious and just — generous and honorable— 
lovely and praise-worthy; — and, in short, in the pur- 
suit of that course of well doing, which conducts indi- 
viduals, and communities, to a state of the most desira- 
ble prosperity in this world ; while it leads those, who 
walk in it, under the influence of a truly christian 
faith, to glory, honor, and immortality in the world to 
€ome. 

Highly favoured indeed, are the people fo whom the 
Lord gives such rulers and commanders, as his chosen 
jigents, for communicating and securing to them so 



86 SERMON ON THE DEATH OF 

many precious blessings of his favor — and so rich a 
pornon of natioiial honor and happiness ! 

When, therefore, a people are bereaved of such val- 
uable benefactors, they sustain an unspeakable loss ; 
and are solemnly called by the providence of God to, 
mo urn— feelingly and deeply to mourn under the heavy 
and distressing stroke of his holy hand. 

Th^ observations which have been suggested, will, 
it is believed, admit of a just and forcible application to 
the present case of our own nation, under that very af- 
iiicling dispensation of Divine Providence, which has 
bereaved us, of a general and statesman, who, in the 
expressive and emphatical language of our House of 
Kepresentaiives in Congress, — " was the first in war—^ 
the first in peace, and the first in the affections of his 
country." 

To trace the respectable descent of this great and 
worthy man — to attend to the first promising buds of a 
superior mind, and of his future greatness, which be- 
gan to unfold themselves in his juvenile days and pur- 
suits— lo observe the early display of his extraordinary 
military talents in a station of subordinate but hoporar 
ble and important command, while these United States 
were yet dependent provinces of Great Britain — to 
follow him in his great career of military glory, — when 
as commander in chief, he directed the operations of 
our armies, during the whole eight years of the memor- 
able revolutionary war ; into which we were driven by 
the unwarrantable claims of the British government — 
claims too arrogant, degrading, and injurious, not to be 
rcisisled and repelled by the free born and high spirited 
sons of America — to mark the dignified manner in 
which he resigned into the hands of the American Con- 



OENERAIi GEORGE WASHINGTON. 8? 

gress the high commission which he had received from 
them, when the great objects of it, — the independence 
and liberties of his country, were accomplished and se- 
cured ; and the truly paternal affection, and solicifude^ 
with which he addressed some of the wisest and most 
salutary moral and political instructions and admoni- 
tions, to his fellow-soldiers, and fellow-citizens, when 
from the most elevated station of military authority 
and power, he voluntarily and cheerfully descended to 
the ordinary condition and employments of a private 
gentleman— to exhibit the important part, which with- 
in a few years after this period, he was called to act in 
that venerable convention of the principal statesmen of 
America ; by whose collected wisdom, our present ex- 
cellent system of federal government was framed, and 
in whose deliberations he presided, as the most honor- 
ed and influential member of that enlightened and pat- 
riotic body — to review his able and successful adminis- 
tration of this new government, in the oiBce of Presi- 
dent of the United Sfates, to which he was first raised 
for the legal term of four years ; and in which he was 
afterwards continued for a like term, by the unani- 
mous suffrages of the widely dispersed millions of his 
fellow-citizens — to represent him in the sublime atti- 
tude in which he appeared, when delivering the last 
solemn advice, which he directly addressed, under a 
public character, to the American people j advice 
which was the fruit of superior wisdom, matured by 
long experience, and of the purest and most disinter- 
ested patriotism, that had stood the test of the severest 
trials ; while at the same time he announced his de- 
cided resolution to decline standing a candidate for a 
ye-election to the presidency, on which he had reason 



88 SERMOPT ON' THE DEATH OF 

to calculate with the greatest confi.dence ; — and con- 
foraiably to his declared purpose, idimediately retired, 
from all the flattering distinctions connected with the 
supreme magistracy of the Union, to the ardently de- 
sired calm retreat of private life, in which he designed, 
and hoped to pass the residue of his days in nndisturb- 
ed tranquility and peace— to pourtray the glory of the 
finishing public act of his exalted, and unabated pat- 
riotism, when he once more yielded to the importunate 
call of his country, and consented to resume the com- 
mand of the forces, which it was preparing for its de- 
fence against the injustice and violence of a rapacious, 
ambitious, and unprincipled foreign power ; — to con- 
template him here in the closing scene, when thus de- 
termined and prepared, to relinquish the repose which 
was so agreeable and desirable to his advanced age, af- 
ter the long continued pressing labours of a most active 
public life, for the toils and dangers of an apparently 
inevitable and arduous war ; — receiving the solemn 
mandate of Heaven, which summoned his great ssoul to 
the world of spirits ; — and with that calm and unshaken 
firmness of mind, for which he was ever remarkable, 
finishing his honorable, earthly career in death — to 
speak now particularly of the inestimable services 
which he rendered to his country, and to the cause of 
religion, liberty, and humanity ; — .>r to attempt a de- 
lineation of the particular features of his great character. 

' All this would form an 

undertaking, to which I feel myself wholly incompe- 
tent ! and which could not be well executed by the 
best abilities, within the limits prescribed to this dis- 
course. This accordingly comes not' within my pres- 
ent design ; but is left as the proper work of the biog- 



iSENiERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 89 

rij3her and hisforian ; — \nd in the faithful, well-written 
Dieaioirs of his life, — and hisloiy of his country, — the 
sublime character, — and the illustrious deeds of our 
WASHINGTON, will doubtless shine with pre-emi- 
nent glory,- — through a long series of ages, and diffusa 
an increasing splendour over many succeeding genera- 
tions. 

In the mean time, while we mourn the Father of our 
country taken from our head, and gone down to " the 
grave, the house prepared for all living ;" — let us now 
be led to consider, — > 

II. What profitable improvement may be made of 
this event, which is the occasion of the present deep 
and universal sorrow^ and mourning of our country— 
and, 

1. It becomes iis to cherish the remembrance of the 
excellent character and eminent services of our coun- 
try's most illustrious citizen and distin2;uished benefac- 
tor, whose death we now lament, with a grateful sense 
of our obligations to the beneficent pro\idence of God, 
who qualified and employed him, as a leading instru- 
ment, in securing to us so many, and such inestimably 
valuable national blessings. 

The memory of the man, whom God was pleased 
Dioat remarkably to honor, as the instrument in his 
hand, for the communication of so much good to our 
highly favoured nation, should be peculiarly dear to all 
our citizens ; — and it should be transmitted, with every 
appropriate, impressive mark of distinguishing esteem 
and regard, to posterity — -as a splendid example for 
the imitation of futuie patriots, generals, and states- 
men—and of our citizens generally, in every depart- 

Hient of public and private life, — In the records of na- 
12 



90 SERMON ON THE DEATH OP 

tlons, excepting only those of God's ancient, chosen 
and peculiar people, we should probably search in vain 
for the example of an union of great talents and virtues, 
of worthy conduct, and important usefulness, superior, 
if we ev en could find one equal, to that which has been 
exhibited by our admiced and beloved Washington, 
in those hij^h military and civil employments, in which 
he was called to defend and serve his country. 

But remembering that " every good gift," every 
valuable possession, privilege, or benefit, whether of a 
private or public nature, or through whatever channel, 
or medium, conveyed to us, " comes down from the 
Great Father of lights and mercies ;" — let us study to 
be thankful to HIM, who graciously provided such a 
general and statesman, to conduct our military opera- 
tions, and administer our civil and political affairs, dur- 
ing a long period, the most critical and interesting to 
our nation — who crowned his wise councils, his virtuous 
measures, his heroic efforts, with such happy success-^ 
and Vv'ho prolonged his life, with his capacity, and his 
zeal uniaipaired, for the service of his country—- till it 
■was safely conducted throu2;h a long series of the most 
perplexing difficulties, and formidable dangers, and at 
length securely established, as we trust, in the enjoy- 
ment of a most excellent constitution of government, 
and a most desirable state of peace and prosperity. 
Most kind and indulgent, indeed, has been the provi- 
dence of the God of our mercies, in first bestowing up- 
on us, and then forbearing to remove from us, the man, 
who was one of the most impregnable bulwarks of our 
country in war, and one of its strongest pillars in peace — • 
till it was settled and confirmed in its present eligible 
situation j in which it does not probably so immediate- 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 91 

ly depend, as at some former periods, on the services 
or influence of an j individual; and seems not likely to 
be so easily shaken, as it might have sometimes hereto- 
fore been, bj the restless spirit of internal faction ; or 
bj the dark intrigues, or open violence of foreign, jeal- 
ous, and unfriendly nations ! 

Let us then, at once, honor the memory of our de- 
parted illustrious General and President ; and piaise 
the divine and most bounJifuI Aufhur of all (he various 
blessings of a civil and a sacred nature, which through 
his distinguished agency, we have experienced, and 
now enjoy, as an independent, a free, a great, and an 
happy nation ! 

2. Let us learn " to cease from man, whose brealh 
is in his nostrils," — and to repose an humble, stedfast 
trust and hope, in the ever-living, all-sufficiem, and un- 
changeable God, for that guidance, protection, and va- 
rious aid, which as a people, we continually need, in or- 
der to our safety and welfare. 

" Lord, what is man, and wherein is he to be ac- 
counted of?" — " AH flesh is grass, and the glory of 
man, as the flower of the grass; the grass witheretb, 
and the flower thereof falleth away. In the morning it 
flourisheth and groweth up ; in the evening it is cut 
down and withereth !" — What is man in honor? He is 
a shadow that passeth rapidly away. What is man in 
his best estate ? He is, in respect of all the worldly 
advantages which he may possess, and of all the bene- 
fits which his fellow-mortals may expect from him, al- 
together vanity ! 

"Let us not then put our trust in princes,"— in those 
who among their fellow-men are clothed with supreme 
authority and power, or bear the character of the great 



92 SERMON ON THE DEATH OP 

and (he good— ''nor in the son of man," of whatever 
qualifications, or in whatever station, *' for in him there 
is no" effectual or certain " help." " Their breath go- 
eth forth — they return to their earth ; in that verj 
daj all their thoughts," either for their own aggran- 
dizement, or security, or for promoting the public 
good, " perish" in the gloom of " the grave,, where 
thej have no more a portion in any thing th^t is done 
under the sun." — But let ns remember, " that happy 
is the man, and happy the people — and that happy 
alone are they, who ha\e the God of Jacob for their 
help, and whose hope is in the Lord their God, who 
made Heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein 
is ; — who keepelh truth forever — who executeth judg- 
ment for the oppressed — who |o\elh the righteous x 
but the way of the wicked he turneth upside dowti— • 
who puttefh down one and sitteth up another — who 
gtraighteneth the nations and enlargeth them at his 
pleasure ; and who, in the exercise of his sovereign, 
Almighty, most wise, righteous, and beneficent domin- 
ion, reigneth for ever, even unto all generations." 

Qur lately universally esteemed, and now universal- 
ly lamented Washington, in the possession of all his 
excellencies and honors, was but a mortal man. 
Thanks be to God for the great qualifications by which 
he was distinguished — for his important public servi- 
ces — and for the long continuance of his eminently val- 
uable and useful life ! — And now, blessed be God, that 
the hopes of our country are not buried in the same 
tomb with his venerable dust ; but that to Himself, who 
is " the possessor of all that is in the heaven and in 
the earth-T-whose is the greatness, and the power, and 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTOTT. 93 

the glory, and the victory, and the rnajeslj, who reigns 
over all, and who is the same, yesterday, lo day, and 
for ever" — ve may still look up as " our light and our 
salvation," " for leaders and commanders ot the peo- 
ple," for the preservation of our independence and lib- 
erties, government and laws, order and peace, and the 
perpetuity and advancement of our national, as well as 
personal safety, prosperity, and happiness ! 

3. While we mourn for the loss which our nation has 
sustained, by the death of such an able defender, and 
distinguished benefactoi — let us be excited to pray for 
our country, and especially for those, who occupy the 
principal places of authority, trust, and power, in its 
government. 

" To offer up supplication?, prayers, and interces- 
sions for all men," and especially for tho^e, whose inter- 
est and welfare, are most nearly connected with our own, 
and upon whose counsels and measures, our safety and 
happiness, under God, most immediately depend — is at 
all times an important christian duty. For our fellow- 
men, in every nation of the earth, in ^very branch of 
the great family of mankind, we should constantly 
pray ; that they may enjoy the advantages of wise and 
good governments and laws — and the blessings of the 
gospel of the great Redeemer of fallen men, in its un- 
clouded light, uncorrupted purity, and saving power ; 
— " that the people who delight in war may be scatter- 
ed—that the wickedness of the wicked may come to an 
.end — that the just may be established," — and that the 
cause of truth and righteousness, and of genuine liber- 
ty, civil and religious, involving all the great interests 
of communities and individuals, may prevail and tri 
umph. universally, through the worlds 



94 SERMON ON THE DEATH OF 

For our country, especially, we should continually 
pray — that the great Governor of nations, our guardian 
God, and the God of salvation, may be pleased to for- 
give our multiplied follies and offences, by which we 
are daily forfeiting his mercies, and provoking his judg- 
ments ; — " to turn away every token of his anger from 
us, and remember us with the favor which he bears to 
his chosen and peculiar people" — to secure to us the 
full and uninterrupted possession of our personal 
and national rights and privileges ; in the enjoyment of 
order, harmony, and tranquillity at home, and of peace 
and honor abroad^— to prosper all ranks and classes of 
the inhabitants of our land, in their several stations, 
and lawful, worldly pursuits — and " to visit us with" 
the infinitely more precious blessings of " his spiritual 
and everlasting salvation." 

" For all in authority over us," and intrusted^with 
Ihe care of our national interests, in public stations, we 
ought more particularly to pray, that they may be 
" wise and able men, such as fear God, men of truth, 
hating covetousness,'* and zealous, active, resolute, and 
stedfast in their concern for, and pursuit of the public 
good. Considering how multiplied, arduous, and per- 
plexing, are the cares of government — how peculiarly 
strong and pressing are the temptations, with which 
men, in exalted stations of trust and power, are contin- 
ually surrounded ; and how many, and great, are the 
evils or benefits, which may i-esult to the community 
from their ill or good conduct, in the important places 
which they occupy — in the elevated spheres wherein 
(hey move; — we should, from a tender sympathy for 
them, and a prudent regard to our own interests, pray 
continually for our rulers — '^ that the Lord may give 
them a wise and understanding heart, to discern be- 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 95 

tween good and evil, and to go out and in before a great 
people," with discretion and fidelity, with unsuliied 
honor and good success. 

And thus are we, by a special, solemn voice of Di- 
%'ine Providence, called to pray for our country, at the 
present juncture, while mourning the recent death, of 
our late illustrious General and President ; and to pray, 
more particularly, for his worthy and venerable suc- 
cessor in the presidency of the Union; that he may 
be divinely assisted, in sustaining the increased weight 
of anxious care, which is devolved upon him, by the 
loss of so early, able, and experienced an associate, in 
the great cause of America. — and that he may steadily 
and firmly, proceed to tread in the same steps of wis- 
dom, virtue, and honor, by which the great and excel- 
lent Washington conducted his country, to the pres- 
ent dignified and enviable rank, which it holds among 
the nations of the earth. 

Finally ; 

4. Let the consideration of this very affecting in- 
stance of mortality, which has filled the heart of oue 
nation with sorrow and mourning, be improved to 
awaken and engage us all, to a faithful and diligent dis- 
charge of the duties of our respective stations ; and to 
a seasonable preparation, and constant watchfulness for 
the order of God, which shall dismiss us from all our 
employments here, to a state of righteous and ever- 
lasting retribution in a future world. 

To act, as if we thought that we were bound by no 
obligations, to extend our views or regards beyond our- 
selves ; but had a right to employ our time and powers, 
merely to serve our own selfish purpose's, would be very 
disgraceful to our character as men and citizens. Much 



96 SERMON ore THE DEATH OF 

more reproachfij! then, must such conduct appear f® 
be, in those who bear the name of Christians — when it 
is viewed in the light of fhe gospel—when it is consid- 
ered as in direct contradiction to those benevolent and 
refined principles of Ihe religion of the blessed jesns, 
which require us " to love our neighbour as ourselves'* — 
" to rejoice with them that rejoice— *o weep with them 
that weep" — *' to bear one another's burthens" — ** and 
as we have ability and opportunity, to do good to all 
around us." 

Let us, therefore, reflect and consider what the Lord 
our God and Saviour requires of us, in our several sta- 
tions — and endeavour to occupy, with the talents which 
he has committed to us, in that manner, by which his 
great name may be most glorified, and the best inter- 
ests of our fellow-men, together with our own, most ef- 
fectually advanced. 

Fathers, Let not the residue of your strength be 
wholly spent in that ease and inactivity, which, to de- 
clining years, usually appear most inviting. — If you are 
yet li^ina: to yourselves, and for this world ; surely it 
is high time that you begin to live to the Lord, and for 
eternity. 

If, in the course of a life of christian faith, piety and 
virtue, you are serving and honoring the adorahle 
Author of your being and redemption, and pursuing the 
great ends of your rational existence, — "Be not weary 
in well doing, but hold on your way, and hold out to 
the end, and still go from strength to strength, till 
you enter into that everlasting rest, which remainefh 
for the people of God." And remember, that it par- 
ticularly becomes you, to teach the rising generation 
theii duties to God, to their neighbour, and themselves 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 97 

— to admonish them of fhe vicissitudes, the tempta- 
tions, the dangers, to which rhey may be exposed in 
the untried journey of life ; and to recommend the 
counsels of matured wi-ido.n, and hintr experience, by 
the engaging influence of the good example, which you 
will exhibit, while you continue to walk wiih steady 
steps, and cheerfid hopes, in " the path of fhe just ; 
which is as the shining light" of the njorning, "shining 
more and more unto the perfect day." 

Young men. Let not the flower of your agf* ; the 
vigour of your faculties, be dishonored ar(d washed in 
the indulgence of unmanly sloth — of unprofliable, dissi- 
pating amusement j;— or of sordid, criminal, an«l de- 
structive pleasures : But study to furnisfj your minds 
with useful knowledge, to acquire and strengthen the 
dispositions and habits of purity and temperance, of 
regularity and dilie:ence, of generos<tv and economy. 
" Remember your Creator and Redeemer in the days 
'of your youth :" Choose and pursue " the ways of 
wisdom, which are the only ways of pleasantness, and 
peace :" Fulfil the obligations of every relation, which 
you sustain, with respectful attention and affeciion; 
with strict fidelity and becoming cheerfulness ; and let 
your breasts glow with a laudable, ardent ambition, to 
act a worthy part, and become the ornaments and bles- 
sings of society, in your day. 

Let it be the concern of fevery one of us, in short, 

that we may feel the power, and manifest the influence 

of those sacred, heavenly principles of the gospel, which 

will bear down every selfish, contracted disposition of 

our degenerate nature, and elevate and enlarge our 

hearts, in the most benevolent desires, and prompt us 

tp correspondent, worthy efforts, to be as useful as pos- 
13 



98 SERMON ON THE DEATH OF 

siblCi in our respective spheres — to contribute some- 
thing to the welfare of the civil community, with which 
we are connected, and to the extension of the bounds, and 
the advancement of the glorj of the Redeemer's king- 
dom of grace in the world. 

And bj the great example of the distinguished friend 
and benefactor of his country, whose loss we now de- 
plore ; let us all be taught and animated to cherish that 
public spirit, which shone so conspicuously in him 5 
and which will determine us to maintain for ourselves, 
and to transmit to the generations, that shall come af- 
ter us, the national independence, and the precious lib- 
erties involved in it, for which he so nobly fought—^ 
and which he guarded with so vigilant an eye, and faith- 
ful a hand, — and to exert our influence, as far as it may 
extend, for preserving and supporting religion and mo- 
rality, order and peace, in our land, — for promoting the 
prosperity of church and state, and for aiding our fel» 
low-citizens, and fellow christians, and our brethren of 
mankind, generally, whom we may be able to serve, in 
respect to their common and sacred, their temporal and 
eternal concerns. 

The father of his country no longer lives, to unite, 
animate, and guide its citizens, and its armies in its de- 
fence-^to watch for its welfare — -to plan and labour for 
its prosperity and its glory. How far its safety, or its 
interests may be affected by his lamented death, we 
yet know not. But when we reflect upon the existing 
circumstances of our nation, deprived, as it now is, of 
the presence, the talents, the counsels, the cares, the 
example, the influence of its most revered and honored 
citizen, its most strenuous defender, and most vigilant 
and faithful guardian , — we must surely be aware, that 



• ENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 99 

it now demands from all, whose interests are embarked 
in its cause, a more solicitous attention to its necessi- 
ties-'— and a redoubled zeal in every patriotic effort, by 
which it may be defended and benefitted. And let 
those, who may be ready to apprehend, that they can 
do little or nothing for the public good, be reminded, 
that they can, at least, pray for it ; and that " the 
Lord is a God hearing prayer ;" and " having already 
done great things for us," may be ready to do still 
greater things for us, — «' but will yet be inquired of by 
us, that he may do them for us." 

Recollecting also, that our opportunities in this 
world for serving God, and our generation, according 
to the will of God, and for securing the salvation and 
everlasting happiness of our own souls, are very short 
and precarious — let us be admonished to undertake 
and "to do with our might, whatever our hand findeth 
to do." 

Every instance of mortality, which we witness, or of 
which we hear, is adapted, impressively, to enforce the 
word of God, by which we are warned, <* that the 
time is short." But from the tomb of the great Wash- 
ington, for whom his country now mourns, through all 
its borders — the voice of death speaks to ua with more 
than ordinary solemnity and emphasis—*" Be ye also 
ready — for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of 
Man Cometh." " In such an hour as we think not," 
or may be least aware of his approach, the Son of Man, 
** who hath the keys of death, and of the invisible 
world," may come, by his dread summons, to call us 
from time to eternitj' ; from a temporary state of ser- 
vice and trial, to an everlasting state of righteousness 
and unchangeable retribution^ 



100 SFRMON ON" THE DEATH OF 

How soon did the humane and amiable hero, yield t« 
the violence of unrelenting disease! How quickly did 
the (nizh.'y and renowned conqueror fall, with all his 
mortal honors bloominti upon hioi— -" in that war in 
which there is no discharge !" 

And must not we as certainly die ? And may we 
DO?, in like manner, die wiih as little previous warning 
of our impendini^ dissolution ; of by a stroke from the 
last enefny, still more sudden and unexpected ? O let 
us hasten then, in our preparation for the closing? scene 
of life — for that all important chans^e of worlds to which 
we are approaching, as fast as the rapid flight of time 
can bear us forward ! 

Let us look well to onrselvef5, and see that our souls 
are committed in the exercise of that unfeigned faith, 
*^ which is the gift of God, and the work of his holjr 
spirit," into the hands of that Divine, Almighty^ and 
most gracious Redeemer, " whose is the only name un- 
der Heaven, given among men^ by which any can be 
saved j" and on whose atonement, righteousness, and 
intercession, the most illustrious saviours of their conn* 
try, equally with the meanest and most abject of the 
children of men, must entirely depend, for the forgive- 
ness of their sins ; for reconciliation and peace with 
God; and for the attainment of that everlasting life, 
which God has proiriised to believers, and which is to 
be foi.'nti only in his Son. Let us, also, be active and 
diligent, " sledfast and immoveable, and more and 
inore ahouiidins;, in all the work and service of tha 
Lord," to which we are. called, as the followers of the 
great Captain of our salvation ; and let it be our most 
serious concern, and care, that we may be found ever 
watching for the coming of our Lord ; and wailing witli 



©ENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 10| 

astedfast faith, with a lively hope, and ivitb an earnest 
desire, for his sovereign order to lay down our flesh in 
its native earth ; and to enter, disincumbered of all the 
burthens of mortality ; and completely delivered and 
purified, from the power and pollution of sin, under 
which we now groan, into the full and everlasting " joy 
of our Lord," 

Then will the course of our pilgrimage, through this 
vale of tears, close in peaCe ; and " having fotight the 
good fight, and finished the work," which our Lord 
has appointed to be accomplished by us, on earth — and 
having thus approved oursehes ** faithful" in his cause 
and service, " unto death, we shall receive the crown 
of immortal life, which he hath promised, and which 
he will give to all who believe in, and obey him, and 
who love his appearing." And then, in his heaienly 
kingdom, " washed from our sins in his blood, who 
loved us, and gave himself for us ; and advanced us to 
the dignity of kings and priests unto God and his fath- 
er," we shall mourn no more for the awful desolations 
of death, or under any of the lamentable effects of sin ; 
but shall find " all tears wiped away from our eyes," 
by the kind hand of our gracious God and Redeemer ; 
and " beholding his face in righteousness, and satisfied 
with his likeness, we shall triumph in his prai^se, and in 
that fulness of joy which is in his presence," through all 
-the ages of a blessed eternity ! 

" Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the 
only wise God and our Saviour^ be honor and glory? 
f<»r «ver and ever*" Amen ! 



CHARGE, 

DELIVERED AT THE ORDINATION OF THE 

Rev. JAMES ADAMS, 

IN 

THE INDEPENDENT, OR CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

AT 

DORCHESTER. 

MAY 8th, 1799. 

REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER, 

You are now invested with the office of a minister of 
Christ. In a solemn manner you are ordained and set 
apart to those eminently important labours, in which 
persons bearing this sacred character are called to serve 
the great and blessed God in the gospel of his Son. 

The services upon which you have thus entered, and 
to whichyou arenow,by most peculiar obligations, bound 
to devote your talents and your life, are in their nature 
the most honorable, in their design the most benevo- 
lent, and in their consequences the most interesting, of 
all the employments, in which you could possibly be 
engaged on earth. For to you is committed that di- 
vine ministry of reconciliation, by which you are con- 
stituted an ambassador for Christ, for the purposes of 
proclaiming to your fellow-men and fellow-sinners, 

* Published with Dr. Mc Calla's Sermon, delivered on the occasion^ 
at the time of its delivery. 



104 A CHARGE. 

" that God is in Christ reconciling the world to himself, 
and of persuading them as in Christ's stead, to be rec- 
onciled to God.*' And under Christ "the great shep- 
herd and bishop of souls," jou are commissioned to be 
a pastor in his church, and intrusted with the care of 
guiding and conducting a portion of his flock in the way 
of knowledge, faith, holiness and peace, to that ever- 
lasting rest which remaineth for them in his heavenly 
kingdom. 

Surely, according to the emphatical observation of 
the Apostle Paul ; " If any man desire the office of a 
bishop or pastor, he desireth a good work." 

The various duties of this excellent office, and the 
several parts of this eminently good work have been, 
we doubt not, the subjects of your own frequent seri- 
ous reflections, attentive studies, and earnest prayers ; 
in the view and hope of your becoming furnished with 
those human qualifications, and that divine sufficiency, 
which are requisite to make you " an able minister of 
the New Testament, not of the letter but of the spirit.'* 
But though you may have heretofore well known and 
considered all that shall be now suggested on these im- 
portant subjects ; yet on the present solemn occasion, 
it may be useful in the way of a special charge, (the 
delivering of which has been devolved upon me) to re- 
call to your remembrance, some of those things which 
must be the objects of primary attention with you, if 
you would, through grace, approve jourself a good and 
faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the sacred 
ministerial work to which you are now ordained. 

Whoever would raise a firm and durable structure, 
must be careful to lay a solid and good foundation. 
The minister who would rationally hope to preacji 



A CHARGE. 105 

€hrist and his gospel with any considerable good effect 
toothers, must have been himself divinely enlightened 
and led tojknow and receiv^e the Lord Jesus Christ, as 
his own Saviour ; and must have found the gospel, ac- 
companied with the agency of the Spirit of grace, made 
" the power of God to his own salvation." Connected 
with this experimental, saving knowledge of the Re- 
deemer, and of the truth and grace of his gospel, strong 
intellectual powers, cultivated by a liberal education, 
are certainly of great importance to a christian minister ; 
and through a sanctifying blessing, may be eminently 
subservient to his reputation and usefulness. But des- 
titute of. this experience, which is essential to the be- 
ing of a christian, no natural abilities, nor acquired ac- 
complishments, however valuable and ornamental in 
themselves, can warrant his taking the ministerial oflace 
iipon him, or authorize him to hope for acceptance with 
God, or much success in the labours of it, among his 
fellow-men. 

Allow me, however, to remind you, that whatever be 
the degree of this experience to which you have al- 
ready attained ; still as a christian consulting your own 
establishment "and comfort, and especially as a minister 
of Christ, called to be a stated teacher and helper of 
others, in the concerns of their salvation, it becomes 
you to be careful, that you may " grow in grace, and 
in the knowledge of your Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ." In this way you will find your calling and 
election made more comfortably sure to your own soul 5 
and with your increasing knowledge of Christ, and ex- 
perience of his grace, you will feel the love of Christ 
constraining you with a more tender compassion, affec- 
tionate desire, and fervent zeal^ to labour that you mar 
14 



108 A CHARGE. 

bring others to a saving acquaintance with him, and t® 
a more clear, cooiforlable, and practical understanding 
of thdt well-oidered, bure, and everlasting covenant of 
which he is the blessed Mediator, and which, in all its 
rich and glorious provisions, and great and precious 
promises, is fitted ta be all the salvation and all the de- 
sire of those who are included in it. 

Bet as I address jou at present, chiefly under your 
public character, as a minister of Christ, I take leave, 
in this vievf, now to exhort you in the words of the 
Apostle Paul, in his solemn charge to the pastors of the 
church of Ephesus ; " take heed to yourself, and to all 
the flock over which the Holy Ghost halh made you 
overseer, or bishop," (a narne, or title, expressive of the 
oSice of every pastor of the church) " to feed the 
church of God, which he hath purchased with his own 
blood." 

In allusion to the special or principal business of a 
common shepherd, which is to feed the flock commit- 
ted into his hands, jou are here reminded, that your 
great care as a spiritual shepherd, or pastor, must be to 
feed the flock of Christ, with the charge of which yOu 
are infrusfed. And you are to remember, that the dis- 
charge of this trust eminenily consists in a judicious 
and fiithfnl preaching of the word of God, which is the 
proper food of ^oids, the great instrumental means of 
their spiritual life, and growth in knowledge, grace, ho- 
liness, si-^pfiilne'^s, and meetness for the inheritance of 
the saints in light. The word of God, therefore, you 
must be careful to dispense in such a manner, that you 
may give a snilable portion of this spiri^tu^al meat, to 
e^ery one in due >teason ; and that you may be able to 
siay, with a good conscience, that " you have not" in-* 



A CHARGE. 10?' 

tentionallj " shunned to declare to your bearers, the 
whole counsel of God, and have kept back nothing (hat 
might be profitable to them." Considering, I hat as a 
minister of (he gospel, " a dispensation of the word is 
committed to jou," " take heed to the doctr ine" which 
you preach, timt it be " the truth as it is in Jesus," and 
that " the word of truth be rightly divided," and dis- 
tinctly, prudently, and faithfully applied to the various 
cases of the different classes of your hearers. 

There is no truth in divine revelation that requires 
the obedience of the heart, or respects the regulation 
of the life, which may not be preached in its season, 
with propriety and advantage. In the course of 3 our 
ministry, it may be profitable to your hearers, not only 
to illustrate and enforce the eminently great and weighty 
matters of the law and the gospel, which more immedi- 
ately affect the sahation of the soul ; but to explain 
and recommend whatever is decent and beautiful, love- 
ly and praiseworthy, ornamental and attractive, in tem- 
per, conversation and conduct. But the fundamental 
truths of the gospel, and the essential leading duties of 
sobriety, righteousness and godliness, must be ever the 
principal subjects of your discourses; the subjects 
which you evidently keep nminly in view, and on which 
you moht frequently and copiously dwell. 

The doctrines which teach, the subsistence of three 
co-equal persons in the one adorable Godhead ; the 
creation of man in the moral image of his Maker; the 
universal corruption of human nature, by the transgres- 
sion and fall of our first parents, and the subjechon of 
the whole human race, according to the righteous sen- 
tence of the divine law, to death, spiritual, temporal 
and eternal, because ail have sinned and come short of 



108 A CHARGE. 

the glorj of God ; the election of a certain number of 
mankind, according to the sovereign, free and everlast- 
ing love and mercy of God, to salvation and eternal life 
in Christ the Redeemer and head of the church ; the 
union of the divine and human natures in the person of 
Jesus Christ ; the satisfactory atonement made by his 
death, to the law and justice of God for human guilty 
the forgiveness of sins, and the justification of sin- 
ners with God, solely through the merits of his precious 
blood, and perfect righteousness ; the necessity of the 
agency of the Spirit of God, to work in the soul, an un- 
feigned saving faith in Christ the Redeemer, and to pro- 
duce in our fallen depraved nature, that great moral 
change, which is called regeneration and a new-creation, 
and without which none can enter into, or see the king- 
dom of God ; the certain perseverance and assured 
preservation of all who truly believe in Christ, and are 
born of the Spirit, in the course of an acceptable obe- 
dience to the gospel, by the power of God, through 
faith, to that full and everlasting salvation which is 
ready to be revealed at the last day ; and the resurrec- 
tion of the bodies of all the dead, at the end of the world, 
preparatory to the solemnities of the great day of judg- 
ment, when the whole race of mankind shall appear before 
thejudgment seat of Christ, that every one may give an 
account of himself to God, and receive according to 
what he has done, whether it be good or bad ; that in 
soul and body the wicked, who have not known God, nor 
obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ, may be punished 
with an everlasting destruction from the presence of 
the Lord and the glory of his power ; and that the 
righteous who, being justified by faith in Christ, have 
been restored to peace with God, and followed after 



A CHARGE. 109 

that holiness without which none can see the Lord, may 
be received with the honors of a public triumph to the 
inheritance of immortal life, and unfading glorj, in the 
presence and enjoyment of God, reserved for them in 
heaven. These are the truths which lie at the founda- 
tion of Christianity, and form the distinguishing 'glory of 
the gospel. And it is the faithful preaching of these 
truths, upon which the gracious Head of the church, 
has promised to commaud his blessing, and which he 
makes effectual, by the co-operation of his Spirit, tothe 
conviction and conversion of sinners, and the edification 
and consolation of believers. These therefore you 
must study to exhibit in their p; . per importance, con- 
nexion and consequences, and to icpresent in the clear- 
est light and the most forcible manner, within your 
power, if you would hope for any measure of desirable 
success in your ministry. 

As a preacher of the gospel, it must, in a word, be 
your aim and determination, " to know nothing among 
your hearers, save Jesus Christ and him crucified." 
All your reading and studies, and vour intercourse 
among those with whom you associate and converse, 
should be so managed as to be made subservient to the 
great design of qualifying and engaging you to preach 
more instructively and persuasively, a crucified Re- 
deemer. 

The advantages which you derive from a liberal ed- 
ucation ; from a command of valuable books, the works 
of the learned, the ingenious, and the pious ; from the 
Society of those whose minds and manners are highly 
cultivated and improved, and from your acquaintance 
with the circumstances of such as remain in a state of 
comparative ignorance and rudeness, will be then only 



IID A CHARGE. 

consecrafed <o (heir proper use, when they are employ- 
ed to the purposes of preparing and leading yon to rec- 
oiuaiend more effectually, the Lord Jesus Christ, as 
the only hope and all sufficient Saviour of sinners, and 
fo display more fully and forcibly, his glory and his 
grace, and the necessity, importance and use of all his 
mediatorial offices and works : In order to convince 
sinners of their need of an interest in him, to encourage 
awakened souls to apply to him, and to trust in him, 
and to establish and build up believers in their most ho- 
ly faith, to animate their diligence and zeal in the dis- 
charge of their duty, and to increase their peace and 
joy in the hope and prospect of their being in due time 
received to himself, that they may be forever with him, 
beholding and enjoying his glory. 

Thus you are to preach the word, and Christ in it, 
in season and out of season ; in the stated times for the 
exercise of your ministry, and on particular occasions, 
whenever and wherever the providence of God may 
call you to improve them, for that purpose. And thus 
you are to preach, not only in the pulpit, or in public; 
but from house to house, embracing the occasion of or- 
dinary visits, and every fair opportunity, for introduc- 
ing the truths of the gospel, and the concerns of religion, 
as the subjects of your familiar conversation. 

In this way you will find some advantages beyond 
"what the pulpit ordinarily affords, for speaking of the 
things which belong io the peace, and concern the sal- 
vation of the soul, in such a manner as to gain the attri- 
tion, and impress the hearts of the individuals with 
■whom you converse ; and especially of children aud 
young persons, the afflicted, the awakened, the doubt- 
ing, the tempted, and the mourners in Zion. In this 



A CHARGB. Ill 

Way also jou will encourage such to come more readily 
to you, and communicate to you with greater freedom 
and confidence, their diflSculties and discouragements, 
their comforts and hopes, or the views and exercises of 
their souls, whatever ihey may be. And thus, while 
you share wilh them the peculiarly refined and exalted 
satisfactions, which are experienced by those who take 
sweet counsel together, on the most interesting sub- 
jects, the subjects which concern the everlasting wel- 
fare of the soul ; you may at the same time acquire such 
a particular knowledge of the state and circumstances 
of your flock, as will furnish you with many useful ma- 
terials for your public discourses, by which they may 
be more abundantly enriched, with suitable arjd season- 
able instruction, admonition, encouragement and conso- 
lation. 

It is also in your intercourse with others that yois 
may advantageously exhibit a good example of the sal- 
utary and happy influence of the gospel which you 
preach. And while you ** give attendance to reading, 
meditation and study^ to doctrine, exhortation," and 
every part of your ministry, remember your obligations 
" to be an example," which believers may safely follow, 
" in word, in conversation, in charity^ in spirit, in faith, 
in purity of manners, and holiness of life." A conduct 
remarkably inconsistent with, and contradictory to the 
principles and rules of, the gospel, in a preacher of itj 
will scarcely fail to prejudice many against the truth, 
and confirm and harden them in iniquiiy, and to render 
his best preaching in a great measure ineffectual to all : 
while the proper fruits of the sound doctrine which he 
teaches, manifested in his own life and conversation, 
will have a most favourable tendency to recommend hi» 



112 A CHARGE. 

insfrucfions and exhortations, to the attention, appro- 
bation, and observance of his hearers. Let the consid- 
eration of these things then, be ever present to your 
mind, and have a determining weight with jou, to en- 
gage you to exemplify, in the dispositions and virtues, 
which form and adorn the christian character, the holy 
gospel which you preach : so that by the forcible influ- 
ence of instruction and example united, you may be 
the more successful in your endeavours to enlighten 
and lead others, in the way of righteousness and salva- 
tion. 

But remembering, that unless the Lord work with you 
and by you, all that you can say or do, will be wholly 
ineffectual to the purpose of saving those who hear 
you, cease not to seek the assistance and blessing of 
God, by humble and earnest prayer. By this, in a 
particular manner, you are to keep up a lively commu- 
nion between God and your own soul ; and by this you 
are to ask, that you may receive of the great Father of 
lights, the Author of every good and perfect gift, an ip- 
crease of light and grace, of knowledge and wisdom, of 
resolution and strength, for your private studies, your 
public minimi It rations, and all your christian and ministe- 
rial work, and that co-operation of the Spirit of grace 
with all your labours, which alone can crown them with 
desirable success. Watch therefore unto prayer, and 
be instant in this peculiarly important and profitable 
devotional exercise ; and thus commend yourself, your 
work, your people, the whole church of Christ, and 
your fellow-men throughout the whole world, to the 
mercy and grace of God, who heareth prayer ; and be 
assured that while he inclines and prepares your heart 
to pray, he will be found ready to hear, and to do for 



A CHARGE. 113 

you, and those for whom you pray, exceeding abun- 
dantly above all that you can ask or thhik. 

Intimately connected with, and subservient to the 
design of preaching the word, is the maintenance of 
that discipline which the great Head of the church has 
instituted for its benefit; for the preservation of its 
purity and order, and the promotion of ils peace and 
prosperity. This then you should endeavour to exer- 
cise, with the concurrence of the church, in such a man- 
ner as may manifest a becoming attention and solicitude, 
to distinguish between the precious and the vile, in the 
admission of persons to sealing ordinances ; and in pro- 
ceeding according to the rule of the gospel, against 
such members of the church, as may become guilty of 
gross and scandalous offences, tending to bring a re- 
proach upon the sacred society with which they are 
■connected. 

If this spiritual power with which the church in con- 
junction with its pastors is invested, were employed 
■with becoming fidelity, impartiality, prudence and ten- 
derness, it might well be expected, through a divine 
blessing, to be productive of very important and desir- 
able effects, in establishing the reputation, and advanc- 
ing the interests of the church. 

Allow me further to recommend to you the cultiva- 
tion and expression of that charitable and calbolic spir- 
it, which is most consonant to the genius of the gospel, 
and will have the happiest tendency to render your 
services, as a minister of the word, more extensively 
acceptable and usefuU 

To such a spirit, the authors and advocates of modern 

systems of infidel philosophy, make high pretensions. 

But their boasted liberality, is manifestly nothing better 
15 



114 A CHAROlT. 

than a spirit of indifference to whatever bears the nam© 
of religion, excepting only the religion of the Bible. 
As this is the only system which can claim a heavenly 
original, and is sanctioned with the stamp of divine au-* 
thority, while it is framed in all its principles, to give 
glory to God, and to humble the pride of fallen man, and 
to restrain and correct those vicious propensities of our 
corrupt nature, which the disciples of infidelity and li- 
bertinism are determined to cherish, and for the grati- 
fication of which, they incessantly plead ; their charity 
utterly fails them, in their treatment of this religion, 
and they find it difficult, if they at all attempt, to dis- 
guise the spirit of determined and bitter hostility 
against it, by which they are actuated. Hence it re- 
sults, that however indulgent they may be to the er- 
rors, follies and vices, of all who are strangers to divine 
revelation, or who reject the religion which the Scrip- 
tures teach ; yet, in the impious ridicule, the malicious 
scorn and reproaches, and the various illiberal abuse^ 
hy which they attempt to expose to contempt and ha- 
tred, the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel, and the 
character or principles of its worthiest and best pro- 
fessors and defenders, they evidently discover a pcr- 
Terse, prejudiced, overbearing, revengeful, persecuting 
temper of mind. 

It must indeed be acknowledged, and it is greatly to 
be lamented, that too much of a like unworthy temper^ 
has been manifested by many of the professors of 
Christianity, in opposition to those, whose opinions and 
practices, have in some particular points differed from 
their own. This, however, when it does not proceed 
from a heart destitute of a saving experience of the 
power of thft religion which they profess, and wliolly 



^nder the dominion of the spirit of the world, must be 
ascribed to the deficiency of their knowledge of its prin- 
ciples, and the remaining strength of those passions, 
which belong to the fallen, depraved nature of man, and 
which are never wholly eradicated from the breasts of 
christians in the present state of imperfection. Hence 
we find that as spiritual light and sanctifying grace pre- 
vail in the heart, and as christians come to know each 
other better* and to understand more fully their obli- 
gations « to dwell together in unity as brethren," and to 
endeavour " to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of 
peace," they manifest more and more of the genuine 
christian temper. This, as it is the fruit of the Spirit 
of God who is Love, and formed on the principles of 
the gospel, in which God proclaims through his Son 
Jesus Christ, peace on earth and good-will towards 
men, breaths the most generous charity to mankind in 
general, and the most tender and fervent brotherly 
kindaess, to " the saints and faithful brethren in 
Christ." It prompts christians ardently to desire that 
the whole world, if it might be the will of God, should 
be brought to the knowledge and experience of the 
grace and love of God in Christ Jesus; and it rejoices 
particularly in promoting the spiritual improvement, 
peace and prosperity, and the temporal and eternal wel- 
fare and happiness of all who believe in him. It dis- 
tinguishes indeed between truth and error, between de° 
votion and superstition, between pure and holy zeal, 
and wild and mischievous enthusiasm ; and it is dispos- 
ed to " contend earnestly for the faith once delivered 
to the saints," and to expose the falacious arts and 
wicked efforts of those who would destroy the founda- 
tion, or mar and deface the symmetry and beauty of 



116 A CHARGE. 

the christian system. Butvvhere it perceives the fun- 
dadtental articles of ihethriatian faith embraced, and 
maintained in a correspondent conduct (and this it will 
discern in the professors of the gospel, of various de- 
nominationft) it will shew a kind forbearance towards 
such, in matters wherein a disTerence of opinions may 
be maintained consistently with a good conscience, and 
an upright practic^i ; it will seek communion with them 
in every way in which it can be conveniently, com- 
fortably and profitably enjoyed ; and it will be ready 
and forward, not only to receive from them, but to ren- 
der to them every office of christian love and friend- 
ship. This is a spirit eminently recommended and en- 
forced by the gospel of Christ, and worthy of those 
who bear the name of that most benevolent and gener- 
ous friend and Saviour of men ; and it should shine with 
a superiour lustre in his ministers, who are particularly 
called, after his example, " to shew compassion to the 
ignorant, and to them that are out of the way," to bear 
with, and condescend to the infirmities of the weak, 
and the prejudices of misinformed and contracted 
minds, and to love all that love the Lord Jesus Christ 
in sincerity, and in love, to embrace and serve all who 
are of the household of faith, by whatever name thejr 
may be known and distinguished in the world. 

In this view of your work, and of the manner in which 
it is to be performed, it will no doubt appear to you 
to' be in many respects, no less arduous and difficult, 
than it is honorable and important. 

When you consider how solemn and weighty is the 
charge of immortal souls with which you are intrusted, 
" and the necessity which is laid upon you to preach 
the gospel" plainly, fully, and faithfully ; and yet how 



A CHARGE. 117 

difficult a lask it will often be found to adapt your dis- 
courses to the various cases of your heare»>, in such a 
manner as may best serve to warn I he wicked, to 
awaken the secure, to shake the false hope of I he hy- 
pocrites, to reclaim and restore the backsliding chris- 
tian, to establish weak believers, to point out the way 
of escape to the tempted, and to pour the oil of joy into 
the broken and disconsolate hearts of the mourners in 
Zioni when you consider also the various opposition 
and obstacles which may be expected in the execution 
of your office, froai the great adversary of the church, 
whose kingdom of darkness is disturbed and endanger- 
ed by every well-designed and directed effort, to res- 
cue from his power, "those who are taken in his snares," 
and from the perverseness and obstinacy of fallen men, 
who naturally love darkness rather than light, and are 
disposed to relinquish the treasures and the joys of 
heaven, rather than abandon the pursuits, the gains, 
and the pleasures of sin; and yet how inadequate are 
your wisdom, courage, and abilities, for successfully 
meeting and encountering the difficulties with which 
you have to contend : when you seriously consider in 
these points of view, the nature of your sacred office ; 
the special qualifications which it demands, and the 
peculiar trials connected with it ; it may well be ex- 
pected that you will feel yourself constrained to say 
with the Apostle " who is sufficient for these things ?" 

The consideration of these things is indeed well 
adapted to promote that humble and dependent frame 
of spirit, which is one of the most ornamental and valua- 
ble qualifications, in the highest officers, as well as in the 
lowest subjects of the kingdom of Christ. But if you 
are undertaking the work before you on properly pure 



518 A CHARGE. 

and dislntereslecl principles, with an uprigbt aim, and 
sincere desire to advance the interests and glorj of 
your blessed Lord in the promotion of the salvation of 
the soids of your fellow-men, for which he laboured, 
suflfered and died, and with a becoming concern to shew 
yourself in all respects, an approved workman that 
need not be ashamed, a good and faithful servant that 
may appear with confidence and joy when you shall be 
called to give up an account of your stewardship to 
your Lord and Master, in the day of final judgment; 
you are then so far from having reason to be discour- 
aged, that you have every consideration which you 
could well desire, to animate your resolutions, and to 
engage you to persevering constancy in your labours. 
You have the special promise of your gracious Lord, 
from whom you have received your commission, " that 
he will be ever with you," to guide and assist you, ** to 
make his grace sufficient for you, and his strength per- 
fect in your weakness," so as to enable you acceptably 
to perform all the services to which he calls you, and 
sustain all the trials which he appoints to you. You 
will have the favouring contenance and helping prayers 
of all who love Zion and seek her good. You will 
have the pleasing enlivening testimony of a good con- 
science, that you are engaged and labouring in the 
cause of heaven, for the advancement of the greatest 
and best, even the spiritual' and immortal interests of 
mankind. You will probably have the high satisfac- 
tion of perceiving the gospel which you preach, though 
it may not profit all your hearers, in consequence of 
the inattention and imbelief of some, yet made the pow- 
er of God to the salvation of a precious number of them, 
through their faith in its doctrines and in the Saviour 



A CHARGE. 119 

whom it reveals and offers ; with respect to wliom you 
may greatly " rejoice in the reflection that you have 
not laboured with them in vain,'* and in the prospect, 
the cheering, transporting prospect of meeting them as 
"your joy and the crown of your rejoicing in the pres- 
ence of the Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming.'* And 
Laving through grace approved yourself a faithful pas- 
tor in the charge of the flock committed to your care, 
** when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you will re- 
ceive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 

Wherefore, my beloved brother, think of these things ; 
*' and be thou stedfast, immovable, and always abound- 
ing in the work and service of the Lord,'* to which you 
are called as a christian and as a minister of the gospel, 
" forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in 
Tain in ihe Lord,'* but is in its nature designed and 
adapted to be eminently useful to others, and comforta- 
ble to yourself, and if faithfully performed, shall he 
recompensed, through the riches of divine grace, with 
di«Hnguished honors and joys, inconceivably great and 
ever growing, in the heavenly and everlasting kingdom 
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

To you, the people of this congregation I now turn 
my address in the hope that a few observations relative to 
your situation and your duty, will be heard with atten- 
tion and candor, and with some good eflfect, on this sol- 
emn and tender occasion, in which you are so deeply 
interested. 

How desirable and pleasing, my dear brethren, are 
your pre«!ent circumstances and prospects, compared 
•with what they were at a period not long past ? 

From a v^tate of long continued and almost hopeless 
^eselation^ thh house of your holy solemnities has been 



120 - A CHARGE. 

rebuilt and prepared for your comfortable accommo- 
dation in attending upon the public worship of God. 
From a very low and destitute condition, in which you 
were few in number, and "scattered as sheep without 
a shepherd," you have risen and grown into a respect- 
able orsranized religious society, with an encouraging 
prospect of receiving farther addilions to your coinmu- 
nity, and fo your means for maintaining and perpetuat- 
ing the blessings of the gospel ministry among you. 
After persevering for several years, in your laudable 
endeavours, notwithstanding some discouraging disap- 
pointments^ to secure to yourselves these inestimable 
blessiufjs, you are now at length happily united in the 
choice of a pastor, who has been this day solemnly or- 
dained to the ministry of the gospel, with a view to his 
eicercising it amonsc voti, and whose highest ambition 
and joy, we trust, will be to spend and be spent in the 
service of his Lord, for the salvation of your souls. In 
these rf^spects surely you have been highly favoured 
<' 'tirousfh the good hand of your God upon you." 

The providence of God which effected this happy 
change in your situation, has been in some respects as 
remarkably striking, as it has been to you peculiarly 
gracious and merciful. '* The Lord hath indeed done 
great things for you, whereof vou are glad," and on ac- 
count of which all the friends of Zion, who have been 
acquainted with your affairs, and who lately sympathiz- 
ed with you in your destitute circumstances, now re- 
joice with you, and cheerfully unite their greatful ac- 
knowledgements with yours to the God of vour mer- 
cies, who has most kindly restored to you the enjoy- 
ment of those precious go«nel privileges of which you 
were so long deprived. " Not unto yourselves, ncrt 



A CHARGE. 121 

unlo yourselves, but unto the Lord, let all the praise 
and glory be given for his mercy and his truth's sake,'* 
For it was He who put it into your hearts to undertake 
what you have thus done for the honor of his name, 
the advancement of his cause, and the promotion of 
your own best and everlasting interests. It is He, who 
has supported you under all the discouraging circum- 
stances and appearances which you had to encounter, 
who has furnished you with much unexpected assist- 
ance in the good work in which you engaged, and has 
answered your prayers and succeeded your eftbrts, 
probably beyond the utmost extent of your first hopes. 

Thus highly favoured with those stated gospel min- 
istrations and ordinances which you so long wanted, 
and so much desired, let your gratitude, to the gracious 
Author of them, be now manifested in your care to im- 
prove them with fidelity, and in your prayers that they 
may be divinely and abundantly blessed to you ! 

As your pastor is under the most solemn and sacred en- 
gagements to devote his time and his talents to the ser- 
vice of your souls ; so we are persuaded, from the liberal 
things which you have r^^ready devised and done, that 
you will remember and feel the obligations which the 
gospel lays upon you, to make such provision, accord- 
ing to the means in your power, for his temporal wants 
and comfort, as will give him the command of his time, 
and leave him at liberty for " serving the Lord without 
distraction," in his studies and his labours, to promote 
your everlasting salvation. 

Is it his indispensable duty « to take heed to the min- 
istry which he has received in the Lord, that he may 
fulfil it ?" Surely then you are no less bound to at- 
tend his ministrations with as much regularity and con- 
16 



322 A CriARGE* 

sfancy as may be within your power, and to concur witli 
and aid him in all proper measures for maintaining 
that church order which constitutes an eminent part of 
the strength, the beauty and the honor of every christian 
society. While he is allowed the satisfaction of wit- 
nessing such a worthy and honorable conduct in you ; 
how greatly will his heart be encouraged, and his hands 
strengthened in every part of this arduous work ! 
Whether indeed you will attentively hear the word of God 
at his mouth or not, whether you Avill reverence or dis- 
regard the institutions of the gospel ; he must endeavour 
to deliver his own soul, in the faithful discharge of the 
duties of " a warchman to you, in teaching, exhorting, 
warning, reproving, and rebuking with all authority'* 
and impartiality, as well as with all gentleness and long 
suffering ; so that if the wicked and disobedient will not 
be admonished, and engaged to turn from their wicked- 
ness and wicked ways, and seek and secure the life and 
salvation of their souls, but persist in their iniquities, 
** and die in their sins, their blood may not be required 
at his hands, but remain upon their own heads." But 
with what grief and beavinesJ'^of heart must your pas- 
tor think of his Lord and Master being thus despised, 
through such a neglect of his word and ordinances ! 
And how greatly will the burden of his labours be aug- 
mented by the prospect of their proving thus fruitless 
to such of you as he shall not be instrumental in saving 
by them, and serving only on the other hand to aggra- 
vate your guilt, ajnd to increase the terrors of your final 
condenii ation, and the anguish of your everlasting mis- 
ery ! Would you not be chargeable with a conduct so 
unkind, so criminal, and so ruinous ; would you wish to 
afford your pastor, the greatest comfort which he can 



A CHARGE. 123 

find in you | and would you manifest that you really 
love your own souls? Be admonished andentreated then, 
to hear the gospel which he is appointed to preach to 
you, and " to obey him, and to submit yourselves," in 
respect to the ministerial authority Avith which he is in- 
vested to rule over you in spiritual things ; *' remem- 
bering that he watches for your souls as one that must 
give an account, that he may do it with joy and not 
with grief; for that would be unprofitable for you." 

Is he concerned " to take heed to himself as well as 
to his doctrine," that he may approve himself a wor- 
thy example to the flock, of the faith, piety, and virtue 
"which he preaches ? And does it not equally become 
you to endeavour ** to be followers of him, so far as he 
shall be a follower of Christ ?" But you are also to re- 
member, that the most upright and faithful ministers of 
Christ, " are men of like passions with other men," and 
subject to infirmities similar to those with which the 
other followers of Christ, even the worthiest and the 
best, are encompassed ;. while they are exposed to 
some temptations and trials, peculiar to the office which 
they bear, and the work in which they are employed. 
Henice they are taught humility and watchfulness, their 
equal dependence with the weakest members of the 
household of faith, on the blood and righteousness and 
grace of the Redeemer, for the pardon of their daily 
failings and olTences, their acceptance in every duty, 
and their sufficiency for all their work and warfare ; and 
hence they learn to cherish a fender sympathy with 
their christian brethren, and acquire, with a more ready 
disposition, the wisdom and experience which are requi- 
site, for strengthening and comforting them in all their 



124 A CHARGE. 

conflicts and temptations, and various discouragements 
and sorrows. Do not then look for perfection in the 
character of jour spiritual teacher and guide ; and 
Tvhen jou may perceive in him the common frailties of 
liaman nature, which in the best on earth is onlj renew- 
ed and sanctified in part, suffer them not to alienate 
your affections from him, or to operate to ihe prejudice 
of his usefulness arnong you. Over such imperfections 
as jou will have reason to .believe are disallowed and 
lamented by himself, more than by any one else who 
may observe them, kindly spread the mantle of chari- 
ty ; and at the same time, study to ** do those things 
which you may learn and receive, and hear and see in 
him agreeably to the mind and gospel of Christ ;" who 
is the great and only perfect pattern of all that is wise 
and holy, good and lovely, '* and who has left us his un- 
erring example, that we should follow his steps," 

Is it also an eminent part of your ministers duty, to 
pray for you? And shall you not feel yourselves equal- 
ly bound to pray for him ? The Apostles themselves, 
with all the eminent gifts and graces by which they 
were distinguished, felt their need, and often solicited 
the assistance of the ppayers of the churches ; that 
they might find grace to be faithful and successful, in 
their arduous work,, and to be constant and victorious, 
in all their peculiar trials and temptations. ** Brethren 
pray for us," is a request frequently repeated by the 
Aposlle Paul, in the name of himself and of his fellow- 
labourers in the gospel ministry : And long observation 
and experience, have originated and sanctioned the 
maxim, that ** a praying people make a preaching min- 
ister." The prayers of their people accordingly, all 
faithful ministers highly value and earnestly desire ; 



A CHARGE. 125 

persuaded that in answer to these, the Lord delights 
to direct and assist, to own and to bless their labours, 
the success of which lies near their hearts, and forms 
an eminent part of their happiness. Thus to pray for 
your minister then, is a debt of love which you owe to 
faim, who has engaged himself in the various arduous 
labours of his office, to seek and promote your everlast- 
ing interests : And in thus praying for him, you will 
best shew your love to your own souls j as by your 
prayers for hira, you improve the mean particularly en- 
joined and recommended in the word of God, and hon- 
ored by his blessing, for obtaining that co-operation of 
the Spirit of grace, to attend the ministrations of the 
gospel, without which " Paul would plant, and Apollos 
water" in vain ; but with which the gospel, by whatever 
instrumentality it is dispensed, may be expected to 
yield its proper increase, and to bring forth in those to 
whom it is preached, the desirable fruits of faith and 
repentance, conversion and salvation. Wherefore 
pray continually and fervently for your minister ; re- 
membering that in so doing, you most effectually help 
hira in his work, and secure that divine blessing upon 
his ministry, which will make the gospel preached by 
him, "the power of God to your salvation,'^ and instru- 
mental in building you up in the christian life, and pro- 
moting your preparation for the inheritance of the saints 
in light. It becomes you indeed <* to pray always, with 
all prayer and supplication of the Spirit, for all men, 
and more especially for all saints ; and above all for 
the ministers of the word of God, that they may open 
their mouths boldly, to make known the mystery of the 
gospel, that they may speak wisely and faithful- 
ly as they ought to speak ; and that the word of the 



126 A eHARGE. 

Lord may have free course and be glorified" in the 
conversion of sinners, and the edification of believers, in 
every region of the earth, and among all the nations and 
tribes of mankind. But you are in a very particular 
manner concerned to pray, and accordingly, your fer- 
vent petitions should constantly be offered up to the 
God of all grace, that he may be pleased "to dwell in 
this house as one of his chosen habitations and places of 
rest ;" that he may abundantly bless the provisions of 
his grace, with which you shall here be favoured, and 
satisfy his poor among you with the bread of life, and 
that he may clothe your minister with righteousness 
and salvation," so that through his instrumentality, 
" such may be added to the church as shall be saved," 
and the Lord's people made to triumph with great joy 
in the praises of their Saviour and their God. 

In these, and in all other instances, let it be your 
study and care, that you may understand what the 
Lord requires of you as a people so highly favoured 
"with those gopesi privileges which you now enjoy; and 
that through the grace of God, you may so comply with 
your obligations, and improve your advantages, that 
you may obtain the approbation and acceptance of the 
great and gracious Head of the church ; and be the 
hope and comfort of your pastor on earth, and meet him 
with joy and triumph unspeakable at the right hand of 
your Redeemer and your Judge in the last day, even 
in that great day, " when the Lord Jesus Christ shall 
be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in 
flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not 
God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus 
Christ ; who shall be punished with an everlasting de- 
struction from the presence of the Lord, and the glory 



A CHARGE. 127 

of his power ; when at the same time he shall come to 
be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them 
that believe, (because the testimony of the gospel was 
believed by them) in that day." 

" This charge, delivered, as before God, and the 
Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the 
dead, at his appearing and kingdom ;" I now conclude, 
with an earnest recommendation to both minister and 
people, that, in the very tender, interesting and impor- 
tant relation, in which you are connected, you will re- 
spectively endeavour to pursue that course of conduct, 
which may be most conducive to your mutual benefit 
and comfort, " studying particularly the things that 
make for peace," and cultivating that union of hearts, 
and that harmony of views, dispositions, and measures, 
which will be among the best means for securing your 
stability, growth, and prosperity. Then may you rest 
assured " that the God of love and peace, .will be with 
you and bless you and keep you," during the term of 
service and discipline allotted to you in the church on 
earth ; and finally admit you to " the society of the 
spirits of the just made perfect, and to the general as- 
sembly and church of the first-born, which are written 
in heaven ;" where all the Lord's people shall appear 
in the dignity and lustre becoming those ^^ whom the 
Son of God has loved, and washed from their sins in his 
blood, and made kings and priests to his God and his 
Father ;" and where " they who have been wise and 
faithful in their designs and labours to win souls to 
Christ and salvatiouj, shall shine as the brightness of 
the firmament, and they who have been successful in 
turning many to righfeousness, shall shine as stars of 
the first magnitude and splendour for ever and ever." 



128 A CHARGE. 

" Now the God of peace, that brought again from 
the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of 
the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting cove- 
nant, make you perfect in every good work, working in 
you that which is VfeW pleasing in his sight, through 
Jesus Christ." " And unto him who is able to do ex- 
ceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, 
according to the power that worketh in us, and who 
will be found as faithful as he is able to keep his ser- 
vants and people from falling, and to present them 
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceed- 
ing joy ; to the only wise God our Saviour be glory 
and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever." 
Amept. 



4.N 



ADDRESS, 



DELIVERED AT THE ORPHAN HOUSE, 



CHARLESTON, 
OCTOBER 18th) 1799 



ir 



• RPHAN-HOUSE, OCT. IS'th, 1799. 

Dear Sir, 

The Commissioners of the Orphan-House feel themselves obligated 
to you, for the very elegant and well adapted discourse, this day deliv- 
ered at this house, for th« benefit of the Institution. 

That the advantages to be derived from it, may not be confined to those 
only, who had the pleasure of hearing it, but be more generally diffus- 
ed ; 1 am directed by the Board of Commissioners, to request a copy of 
't, with your permission to print the same. 
With respect and esteem, I am Sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. B.HOLMES, Chairman. Com. 

REV. DR. KEITH. 

N. B. The copy of this Address was prepared for the press by the 
Author; but-now appears in print for the first time. Editor. 



ADDRESS 



1 HE Institiition, whose tenth Anniversary we this 
day celebrate, is certainly well entitled to all Ihe atten- 
tion and favoui with which it has been hitherto distin- 
guished. Dedicated to the relief of one of the most in- 
teresting classes of the children of adversity, and em- 
bracing the objects of a most liberal and enlarged poli- 
cy, as well as philanthropy, it justly claims the warm-- 
est patronage of the public, and must unite in its favour 
the hearts of all among us, who are disposed ** to vfeep 
w ith them that weep ;" and are solicitous to turn their 
days of sorrow and mourning, into days of peace and 
joy. 

To provide an hospitable refuge to a number of our 
young fellow-mortals, who might have long lived desti- 
tute and friendless, or have fallen wretched and forlorn 
victims to a premature death ; to rescue them from the 
complicated evils, generally connected with ignorance 
and idleness, in a state of extreme poverty ; to furnish 
them with a comfortable subsistence in the years of 
their helpless childhood ; and to prepare them, by a 
seasonable education in the elements of the most nec- 
essary knowledge, and by the early acquisition of a 
most useful habit of industry, for sharing the happiness, 
and increasing the strength and prosperity of (he com- 



132 AN ADDRESS, DELITERED 

munitj to which they belong ; how generous Ihe de- 
sign, how exalted and extensive the charity ; how de- 
ser\ing, not only of the good wishes of the benevolent, 
but of the zealous exertions, and liberal aid of all, in the 
power of whose hand it may be, to contiibule to its 
support, and the advancement of its usefulness. 

Every return of this Anniversary, unavoidably 
awakens the pleasing recollection of the origin and pro- 
gress of this great and beneficent undertaking. On the 
present interesting occasion, we naturally recal to grate- 
ful remembrance, the enlarged and active benevolence 
of those who formed and matured the plan of this no- 
ble Asylum ; the continued generosity of those whose 
free-will offerings have been, from time to time, pre- 
sented in aid of the funds, which the treasury of our 
city has been hitherto able to afford ; and the unremit- 
ting zeal and exertions of those, who, in the honorable 
station of members of our city council, and of those, who 
under their direction, holding the important commission 
of the special guardians of this Institution, have faithfully 
watched over its interests, and assiduously pursued the 
best practicable measures for promoting its prosperity 
and usefulness. 

To pay the due tribute of honor to the worthy au- 
thors and benefactors of so valuable an Institution, 
would be to rae a pleasing part of this Address. But 
the refined feelings, which have prompted the truly be- 
nevolent to these generous deeds, will, doubtless, be 
much more agreeably gratified, if I shall be able to sug- 
gest any thing, that may be more directly conducive to 
the further advancement of the same good work ; than 
they would be in hearing the best eulogies which I 
could offer, reminding them of what they have already 
so worthily done. 



AT THE ORPHAN-HOtJSS. 13S 

Now, as it is from the more wealthy members of the 
community, that an AsyluDi, provided for the children 
of want and adversity, must be expected to derive its 
principal support, and the means of diffusing more ex- 
tensively its benefits ; and as the leading design of our 
present attendance here, is to pour a measure of the 
bounty of Heaven, of which werespectively partake, into 
this excellent fountain of charity, that its sweet and re- 
freshing streams, instead of failing or running lower, may 
flow without interruption, and with more copious sup- 
plies to those who need them : I have thought that 
your reflections, may be turned into a direction favoura- 
ble to the accomplishment of the great object now in 
view, by a few observations, intended 

To point out some of the most important and valuable 
purposes, to which riches may be improved ; and 

To remind you of some of the principal considera- 
tions or motives, by which such an improvement of them 
is most persuasively recommended. 

Among the persons whom I contemplate as the pos- 
sessors of riches, I include those, whose resources are 
more than adequate to the supply of their real wants, 
and to their comfortable accommodation in that station, 
which they hold in society. Those, who on the solid 
ground of justice and honor, possess a larger share of 
property, than will suffice, in the exercise of an economy, 
equally remote from mean parsimony, and a foolish, os- 
tentatious, prodigality, to maintain a style of living, 
correspondent to the rank and employment which Di- 
vine Providence has allotted to them, may be fairly ar- 
ranged in the class of the rich. For in this class there 
are many grades, commencing with those who enjoy 
something more than a real competence^ and ascending 



134 AIJ ADDRESS, DELIVERED 

to those, who, in the enjoyment of an affluent portion 
of worldlj goods, niaj be denominated opulent. And 
proportioned to the measure of riches, which they pos- 
sess, are the obligations by which they are bound to 
improve then;, to the most useful purposes, which can 
be accomplished by them. 

To two ocly of these I mean to confine my present 
view's. 

The first relates to that superior cultivation of the 
mind, ^hicb is reasonably expected of those who are 
'blessed with the advantages, which riches aiford for the 
accomplishment of this desirable object. 

It is by the powers of the mind, that men are chiefly 
distinguished from the irrational animals, and manifest 
themselves to be more nearly and honorably related to 
the great Father of spirits. In this view of man, the 
light of nature, led some of the ancient Heathen poets 
and moralists, to speak of him, as in a peculiar sense, the 
offspring of the Deity. And in the light of Divine rev- 
elation, the Almighty is represenled as conferring a 
special favour, and distinguishing mark of honor on men, 
when, ^* through his inspiration, he giveth them under- 
standing," by which they are made capable of know- 
ing more than the beasts of the earth, and becpming 
wiser than the fowls of Heaven. 

But like the wondrous little seed, from which arises 
the noblest plant or tree, that is presented to our view, 
this precious gift of Heaven, this rational understand- 
ing bestowed npon man by his beneficent Creator, in its 
beginning, and its earliest operations, is apparently- 
small, and almost irnperceplible ; but gradually unfolds 
its powers, and in time displays a degree of strength 
and comprehension astonishingly great. In another 
view, also, like many of the most beautiful and valuable 



AT THE ORPHAN-HOUSE. 13,^ 

productions in the vegetable creation, it requires to be 
cuhivated with the greatest attention and care ; audits 
growth and improvement, may usually be expected to 
appear, in a just proportion to the proper cultivation 
which it receives. 

This attention to the cuUivation of the human mind, 
which seems to be capable of n^t.ei\ing improvement, 
still new, and e\ev increasing, through all the periods 
of its immortal existtjue, v^as no do"bJ, a piiaiary part 
of the* delightful employ lueiit of man, in his primitive 
state of innocence, which he was lo pursue in conneKion 
with the pleasing business of dressing and keeping the 
terrestrial paradise, in which he was placed. But since 
the deep injury which our nature has sijffered in its in- 
tellectual powers, as well as in its oioral dispositions, 
by the lamentable fall of man into his present state of 
depravity, and various misery and ruin ; the labour of 
acquiring any high degree of that improvement, of 
which the human mind remains still susceptible, has be- 
come as much more arduous, as it is now more ntce^;sa- 
ry. In the present shattered state of our fallen nature, 
the mind of man is found like a fine painting, or statue, 
deeply buried, and greatly defaced, under the ruins of 
a magnificent city, that has been overthrown by some 
awful volcanic eruption, or by the more destructive 
shock of a tremendous earthquake. To open its way 
to the bright regions of knowledge, through the dark 
and thick shades of ignorance, with which it is covered ; 
to raise it from the low pursuits of sensual pleasure, of 
sordid avarice, of noisy, vain and mischievous ambition, 
towards which it is now bent by its strongest natural 
propensities, to the nobler exercises of investigating 
truth, of discovering or applying the principles of use- 
ful science ; and of contemplating, in the works of Crea- 



136 AN ADDRESS, DfiLITlERED 

f ion, the glory of (he adorable Creator, in whom alj 
perfections centre, and who is the infinite source of all 
that is good, excellent, and iovelv, throughout the 
boundless extent of the universe : tbi^ is truly an ardu- 
ous undertaking, and demands the roost attenlive appli- 
cation, and long continued labours. They who would 
successfully pursue it to any considerable extent, must 
generally be able to command much time, free from the 
anxious care of providing the necessary supplies of life; 
an extensive collection of well-chosen books ; and an 
easy intercourse with the learned, the ingenious, and 
the wise. 

Now these are the advantages which riches are par- 
ticularly adapted to secure ; and if these advantages 
were duly appreciated, and improved by those who en- 
joy them, to what advances in ornamental and useful 
knowledge might they not attain ? 

According to the different degrees and propensities 
of genius, capacity, and taste, which they possess; 
they might, with a philosophic eye, explore the various 
departments of the terrestrial creation, where new won- 
ders of Divine wisdom and beneficence, are exhibited, 
in every object from the greatest to the most minute ; 
and from this inferior globe, they might ascend, 

<« to walk the skies, 
Where from yon arch, that infinite of space 
With infinite of lucid orbs replete ; 
Which set the living firmament on fire 
At the first glance, in such an overwhelm 
Of wonderful, on man's astonish'd sight 
Bushes Omnipotence ;" 

adapted to fill the soul with sentiments of the most pro- 
found adoration, and to raise it in strains of the most 
elevated praise, to « Him, by the word of whose mouth 



AT THE ORPHAN-aOUSE. 1S7 

the heavens, and all the host of them were made, who 
spake and it was done ; who commanded, and it stood 
fast." 

Or, studying the conslifution of their own nature, 
and tracing the springs of human actions, and the influ- 
ence of the various relations in which men are connect- 
ed with each other 5 and following in these researches, 
with becoming humility and reverence, the guidance of 
the inspired word of God, which he has given us, to be 
as a lamp to our ^eef, and a light to our path ; they 
might, as legislators, or magistrates ; or as moralists 
and philanthropists, in a more private and less 
turbulent sphere, employ their enlarged knowledge of 
man and of the world, in framing or improving systems 
of laws, and enforcing the practice of virtues, which 
would be most conducive to the preservation and pro- 
motion of the order, the peace, and the interests of the 
community, in connexion with the greatest safety and 
prosperity of the individuals of which it is composed. 

Or, engaging in the worthy designs of unfolding, and 
pointing out the application of the principles of (he me- 
chanic arts, and directing the eminently important la- 
bours of agriculture, that great earthly source from 
which riches are primarily drawn ; and founding theo- 
ries in these branches, upon judicious and decisive ex- 
periments, they might contribute largely to the increase 
of the most valuable productions of the earth, and of 
the desirable conveniencies of life. Thus they might 
become peculiarly instrumental, in providing a more 
comfortable subsistence for a greater number of the hu- 
man race, by which the strength of the nation, and the 
happiness of individuals, would be at once secured and 

advanced. 

18 



138 AN ADDRESS, DELIVEREB 

When the advantages which riches aflford, are thus 
improved, to the purposes of enriching the minds of 
those who enjoy them, with the most valuable acquisi- 
tions of literature and knowledge, and of qualifying them 
by these acquisitions, for becoming the instructors and 
guides of others in the most useful pursuits, and inter- 
esting concerns of life : with what becoming superiori- 
ty, do the possessors of riches appear ! How dignified 
their characler : how elevated their pleasures: how 
beneficial their studies and employments ! 

But if genius should not prompt, nor inclination lead ; 
or if any particular circumstances should forbid the 
wealthy, thus to pursue the cultivation of their own 
minds, to any considerable extent ; 

Then another way is ever open, and on this occasion 
presented, in the most forcible manner to our view and 
reflections, in which their riches may be improved high- 
ly to their own honor, and to the advancement of the 
interests of humanity, virtue and religion. 

You will readily perceive, that I now speak generally 
of the relief which should be extended to the poor of 
every description, who are unable to provide for them- 
selves ; and more particularly of that assistance, which 
should be afforded to the children of the poor, by se- 
curing to them a comfortable subsistence during their 
helpless years •, together with the benefits of such an 
education, as may qualify them for pursuing, with repu- 
tation and success, the common occupations of life, and 
enable them, at the same tifie, to read the sacred Scrip- 
tures, which shew to men the way of salvation, and re- 
veal to them the knowledge of the things of their pres- 
ent and everlasting peace. 



AT THE ORPHAN-HOUSE. 139 

The Creator and Sovereign of the world, has been 
pleased (o appoint to the children of men, different sta- 
tions and employments. Some of these require a high- 
er degree of mental capacity and improvement ; and 
others a larger measure of bodily strength and activity. 

He has also further distinguished one from another, 
by dividing to them different portions of the good things 
of this world. If all, duly observing and acknowledging 
his hand in this arrangement, would properly attend to 
the business of the respective stations which he has 
thus allotted to them, and faithfully occupy with the 
talents which he has committed to them, the combina- 
tion of these several classes, and of the labours of the 
whole, would produce one grand system of order, beau- 
ty, strength and happiness, which nothing but the all 
comprehensive mind of the only wise and good God, 
could have planned. Placed in such relations of mu- 
tual dependence, it is manifestly the interest, and ac- 
cordingly ought to be the concern, of every member of 
the community, that there should be no schism in the 
body ; but that all the members should have the same 
care one for another ; because when one member suf- 
fers, all the members suffer with it ; and when one 
member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 

The rich, by a proper improvement of their wealth, 
furnishing suitable employment, and the means of ob- 
taining a livelihood to the poor, become their natural 
and constant benefactors ; while the poor, on the other 
hand, are the no less necessary and useful aids of the 
rich ; as it is by the labours of the poor, that the pos- 
gessions of the rich are acquired and preserved, and all 
the conveniencies and enjoyments attendant on a state 
of affluence, are supplied. 



140 AN ADDRESS, DELIVERED 

But the poor are not always able to sustain the la- 
bours, on which they may depend for their daily bread. 
Sickness, or the infirmities of age ; or a variety of ad- 
verse occurrences, may disqualify them for pursuing 
their proper occupations. When these are suspended, 
the sources of their stated supplies fail. The situation, 
to which they are then reduced, may be more easily 
imagined, than described. Disease and pinching want 
united, form an accumulation of distress, which cannot 
fail to excite the sympathy of every feeling heart, and 
^hich demands the immediate charitable help of those 
by whom it can be afforded. The sufferings of such 
subjects of affliction, then, doubtless, call loudly upon 
the sons and daughters of affluence, to stretch forth the 
hand of compassion and beneficence, for the speedy re- 
moval of this burden, too heavy to be long borne ; or 
for the alleviation of its overwhelming pressure, when 
it cannot be entirely removed. And how greatly is the 
value of riches enhanced, as they enable their posses- 
sors to render such desirable and important offices of 
kindness and charity to the poor ! 

But these sufferings of the poor, however immediate- 
ly distressing to themselves, are, in their usual conse- 
quences, still more calamitous to their children. 

Extreme poverty, when its influence is not effectual- 
ly counteracted by the cheering, animating, consolations 
and hopes of religion, tends to depress and debase the 
mind. While it denies, or contracts the ability, it of- 
ten extinguishes, or greatly abates, the disposition and 
desire of parents to provide for their children, such an 
education, as would enable them to rise to a better sit- 
uation in the world. This most important office of pa- 
rental love and care, is accordingly unhappily neglect- 



AT THE ORPHAN HOUSE, 141 

ed by many in the lower ranks of society. Whether 
this neglect proceed from inevitable necessity, or from 
a criminal misapplication of the means in their power, 
the unhappy consequences to their helpless children, 
and to society, are nearly the same. 

Well disposed, as some may be in their straitened 
circumstances, to secure, by a proper education, the 
best portion which they can provide for their children, 
they may be prevented from accomplishing their anx* 
ious wishes, by the arresting hand of death. Their 
children are then thrown helpless orphans upon the 
world, to i^eel the deplorable effects of so early a priva- 
tionofthat tender, affectionate parental care, which would 
have struggled through many difficulties, to provide 
both for their bodily wants, and the cultivation of their 
minds. In these afflicting circumstances, shall they be 
left, abandoned as the forlorn outcasts of society, un- 
pitied, unrelieved ? All the tender sensibilities of the 
humane heart, and the benevolent spirit of Christianity, 
especially, revolt from the shocking thought, from the 
dismal prospect. 

But thus destitute and friendless, to whom shall these 
children of adversity and sorrow, look up for the com- 
passion and the assistance, to which their wants give 
them, a peculiar claim ? Does not the finger of Provi- 
dence, plainly point them to the rich, as their natural 
guardians ? And to them is not the voice of the com- 
mon Parent of the great family of mankind, particular- 
ly and persuasively addressed, in that very solemn and 
affectionate charge, " Take these children, and bring 
them up for me.'' 

But to all who are disposed to comply with this call 
•f Divine Providence, and diischarge this great debt of 



142 AN ADDRESS, BELITEBED 

humanify, it maj not be convenient, personally to un- 
dertake the arduous trust. And if this important bu- 
siness were left solely to the good will and efforts of in- 
dividuals, acting without concert or system, some would 
be found to bear more, and others less, than their due 
proportion of the burden ; according to the higher or 
lower measure of benevolence and zeal, by which they 
are actuated ; while many of the numerous class of the 
pitiable sufferers, whose case we are contemplating, 
might be wholly overlooked, and obtain no share of the 
sympathy and relief, to which they are, by their neces- 
sities, equally entitled. 

Hence result the propriety, and the utility of such 
an Institution as this ; wisely planned to combine, and 
by combining, to render more efficacious, the benevo- 
lent views and exertions of individuals, in accomplish- 
ing one of the most interesting and important works of 
charity, that can be undertaken. 

This Asylum, then, may be justly regarded as a dis- 
tinguishing, and most honorable monument of the wis- 
dom, and public spirit of our city ; and of the discern- 
ing and well directed charity of the individuals, who 
have generously contributed to its establishment and 
success. And while it continues, by a most munificent 
hospitality, to provide every comfortable accommoda- 
tion, connected with seasonable instruction in some of 
the most necessary branches of learning, and the early 
acquisition of a most useful habit of industry, to a nu- 
merous class of children, who would otherwise want all 
these comforts and advantages ; the rich and the poor, 
may contemplate its establishment, and its growing 
prosperity, with almost equal solicitude and satisfac- 
tion. For by supporting this Institution, and perpetu- 



AT THE ORPHAN-HOUSE* 143 

aling and extending i(s usefulness, the rich may, with 
the greatest ease and advantage, discharge a great debt 
of humanitj, which thej owe to one of the most help- 
less, pitiable, and interesting, classes of the poor ; while 
these again here meet their generous friends and bene- 
factors, supplying, in the most judicious and liberal 
manner, every present want, and opening to them the 
most cheering prospects into the future years of life; 
and perhapsj into the future ages of their immortal ex- 
istence, which were before overcast with clouds of the 
deepest gloom and despondence. 

To the promotion of the important objects which 
this excellent Institution embraces ; shall we not then 
feel ourselves impelled to improve a portion of the 
bounty of Heaven, which has been bestowed upon us, 
by all the powerful and persuasive motives, by which, 
in such cases, our hearts and otir conduct ought to be 
influenced ? 

These motives are numerous and various. But it 
may sufBcCj at present, to suggest only two or three of 
primary weight and efficacy. 

Let it then be recollected, that we are only stewards 
of those riches, or of that portion of good things, with 
which we are favoured by a beneficent Providence. 

It is equally the dictate of reason and revelation, 
that " every good gift,'* every desirable advantage 
and comfort which we enjoy, " cometh down from the 
Father of lights." Nothing but the most pitiable ig- 
norance, or the most insufferable pride, can for a rno- 
ment hesitate in subscribing to the truth of what the 
language of Divine Inspiration every where teaches j 
that all which is in heaven, and in the earth, belongeth 
to the great parent and sovereign of the universe ; that 



144 AN ADDRESS, DELIVERED 

he reignefh over all in the exercise of an absolute clo» 
minion ; that riches and honor come from him ; an(i that 
it is he, in short, who givelh us all things richly to en- 

Has he " loaded us with his benefits," or has he 
supplied us wilh more than a sufficiency to satisfy our 
own reasonable wants ? In what light are we to consid- 
er ; in what manner are we to improve, the bounty of 
our heavenly Parent's hand ? Are his favours granted 
to us, as our absolute property ? And may we use 
them in all respects as we please ? Are they not, on the 
contrary, evidently committed to us aS a trust, which 
we hold at the pleasure of their Author, and which we 
are bound to employ according to his will ? And has 
he not most clearly manifested it to be his will, that we 
should never forget to do good, according to the means 
with which he has furnished us, by communicating to 
others, whose necessities niay be supplied from our 
abundance ? 

This he teaches us by the most conspicuous objects 
which he presents to our view in the heavens, wherein 
his glory is eminently displayed ; while we there be- 
hold the sun diffusing his cheering light and vivifying 
heat, over the various regions of our earth, which 
without his friendly beams, would be one vast, dreary, 
barren wilderness ; and while we there see the clouds 
pouring dowa the plentiful rain to refresh the thirsty 
ground, to revive the languishing plants, and replenish 
the failing fountains and streams of water. 

This he teaches us still more clearly by his own ex- 
ample ; while he opens continually his liberal hand, and 
satisfieth the desires of every living thing, with the 
good suited to their respective natures 5 and is coa- 



A^ THE ORPHAN-HOUSE* 145 

stanllf doing good, more especially, to ibe children of 
men ; for whose souls he has provided the inestima- 
ble blessings of redemption through the riches of his 
grace in his beloved Son ; and whose hearts he fills 
with joy and gladness, through the various excellent 
supplies with which they are furnished by his provi- 
dential care and bounty. 

And this he teaches us, in the plainest manner, by 
bis written word which speaks a language the most un- 
equivocal and decisive ; " charging them that are rich 
in this world, to be rich in good works, ready to dis- 
tribute, willing to communicate,'' to those who need 
the supplies which they can conveniently spare. 

How iniportant and precious is the trust thus com- 
mitted to the rich : And in a ready and faithful discharge 
of this, with what honour do they appear, as the ap- 
pointed dispensers of the bounty of the great and 
beneficent Lord of heaven and earth, to their fellow- 
men ! 

Let us also recollect ; that to our Lord we must give 
an account of our stewardship ; and that we must ex- 
pect to meet his displeasure or approbation, and to re- 
ceive from him an everlasting recompense, correspon- 
dent to the manner in which we have fulfilled the trust 
reposed in us. 

This, the suggestions of reason and conscience lead 

us to expect ;. and what can be more worthy of the 

character of the great Proprietor and Ruler of the 

universe ; or what more widely adapted to secnre the 

fidelity, and cherish the benevolence of individuals, 

and to promote the order, harr^ony and happiness of 

society ? This we are accordingly taught among the 

fimdamentai doctrines of Divine Hevelation, which 
19 



140 A^ ADDRESS^ BELIVEREB 

testifies, that our Lord will shortlj come and reckoa 
with us, and bring every work into judgment, whether 
it be good or bad, with a view to render unto all accord- 
ing to what they have done. 

You need not be here informed, as you well know, 
how awful is the prospect for eternity, which the in- 
spired volume opens to those, who penuriously hoard, 
or riotously waste, their Lord's goods, instead of ap- 
plying them to the worthy purposes for which they are 
intrusted to their care. 

But what on the other hand, can be better calculated 
to animate to unwearied constancy, and more abundant 
labours in well doing, than the view which the same 
word of truth and grace gives of the final happy lot of 
those, who on the principles of a truly christian faith 
and love, the only principles, from which any genuine 
good work in man can flow, have acceptably " hon- 
ored the Lord with their substance ;" while it pre- 
sents them standing with holy boldness before him in 
the day of judgment, and in the midst of the assembled 
universe of intelligent creatures, receiving from his gra- 
cious lips, that most honorable plaudit and welcome 
sentence ; " Well done good and faithful servant ; 
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make 
thee ruler over many things ; enter thou into the joy 
of thy Lord !" 

Who would not aspire to be found among the happy 
number, whom the King of glory, shall thus distinguish 
with ihc highest immortal honors, and thus receive to 
the fullness of everlasting joy in his presence ? Let 
this be our generous, our sacred ambition. Under the 
influence of that love to our brethren, which is produc- 
ed by the love of God our Saviour, let it be our care. 



AT THE ORPHAN-HOUSE. 14T 

that according to our abilities, we may sow plentifully 
in all judicious charitable distributions, to the chil- 
dren of want ; persuaded, that what we thus do, our 
Lord will kindly acknowledge as done to himself ; and 
assured, that then, in due season, through the riches of 
his grace, we shall reap an abundant harvest of immor* 
tal glory and felicity in his heavenly kingdom. 

Let it be further considered, that while we are thug 
improving the means which we possess for contribut- 
ing to the relief and comfort of the indigent and afflict- 
ed classes of our fellow-mortals, we are at the same 
time providing most effectually for the promotion of 
our own present happiness. 

For the truth of this may I not with confidence ap- 
peal to all who have made the experiment ? Have not 
you, who have been particularly distinguished by the 
bounty of heaven, found " the luxury of doing good," 
the most exquisite that riches can supply ? When 
have you tasted the highest and sweetest satisfactions, 
that you have ever found in the use of jour woildly 
possessions ? Has it not been in seasons when, in the 
exercise of a discreet and liberal charity, you have 
shared them with the poor, the destitute and distress- 
ed ? Has it not been, when you have sought, found 
and relieved, real, and perhaps more than comsDon 
worth, fallen from the enjoyment of more prosperous 
days, into circumstances of difficulty and perplexity, 
and yet too diffident to obtrude itself on the notice of 
the public, and too modest even to accept of offered 
assistance, unless when afforded in a way the most ten- 
der and delicate ; when, in more ordinary cases you 
have " dealt your bread to the hungry, and clothed the 
naked ; wiien you have taken the poor that were ca%l 



14S AX ADDRESS, DELIVERED 

out, into your houses ;" or have aided the community 
in providing for them such an hospitable shelter, and 
such comfortable accommodations as this house affords ; 
or when you have furnished to the ignorant, the means 
of the most necessary and useful instruction, relative to 
the alfairs of this life, and the concerns of their ever- 
lasting salvation ? 

In the performance of such worthy and generous 
deeds, have you not experienced pleasures heart-felt, 
and refined, far surpassing all that you have ever en- 
joyed in the entertainments of the most sumptuous 
table, or in the dazzling shew of the most splendid 
dress or equipage, or in the accommodations of the 
most magnificent and richly furnished mansion ? Are 
not the pleasures, which at lend and follow such chari- 
table and beneficent services, the pleasures that al- 
ways bear a review ; and that are enjoyed over again 
with the sweetest sensations on every renewed recol- 
lection ? 

Do not these give a double relish to every other en- 
joyment of a state of affluence, which moderation and 
temperance allow, and which reason and religion ap- 
prove and sanction ? And does not the remembrance 
of these also sensibly tend to lighten the gloom, and 
sweeten the sorrows of the heaviest afflictions, when 
the common joys of the world are gone, driven like 
chaff before the stormy winds of a day of adversity ? 
When the greatest and worthiest of all the men of the 
east, in his day, was fallen from the highest pinnacle of 
worldly felicity, into the lowest depths of worldly 
trouble and sorrow, how soothing, how consoling must 
it have been to his deeply wounded and bleeding 
heart, to look back with an approving conscience up- 



AT THE ORPHAJT-HOUSE. 149 

on his conduct \u the time of his eminent prosperity ; 
to recollect how he had improved his vast possessions^ 
his distin2;niyhing honors, his great power and influ- 
ence, "in causing the widow's heart to sing for jo v ; in 
shewing himself a father to (he fatherless and the poor ; 
in becoming ejes to the blind, and ieet to the iame ; 
and in delivering tlie oppressed, and defending the 
cause of those who had none to help them !" Is the 
joj of (he most abundant harvest ; or is the rejoicing 
of men when they exult in the honors of victory, and 
divide the richest spoil of their conquered enetnies, to 
be once compared with the satisfactions and consola- 
tions which this great and good man must have felt, 
under the most distressing vicissitudes to which human 
life is liable, when he could thus reflect upon the wor- 
thy part which he had acted, in his brighter and more 
prosperous days, towards the necessitous and the af- 
flicted of every description, in consequence of which 
*' the blessings of many ready to perish had come up- 
on him,'* in the richest abundance, and with the kind- 
liest influence ? 

If there be indeed pleasures worthy of the rational 
nature of man, and becoming the dignified character of 
christians, to be drawn from the use of the good things 
of the world, they must surely be such as these which 
are experienced in the performance of those beneficent 
actions, and in the steady pursuit of that course of well- 
doing, in which the children of men are called to shew 
themselves merciful, as their Father in heaven is mer- 
ciful, and to be followers of the Divine Redeemer, who 
went about continually doing good ; bestowing, with 
the most bountiful hand, blessings temporal and spiritu- 
al, upon the destitute, the afiiicted, the penitent, the 



1^0 AN ADDRESS, DBLITERSD 

disconsolate ; and who thus enforced by his most per- 
suasive example, what he taught his disciples by the 
noblest precept, saying, « II is more blessed to give 
than to receiveJ'^ 

Is not the exercise of this beneficence forcibly recom- 
mended also, by the consideration, that instead of wast- 
ing, it promises rather an increase of, the resources by 
which it is supported ? 

In this case, I feel no hesitation in asserting, that 
constant observation and experience accord with, and 
confirm, the testimony of the sacred word of God, 
which declares ; that " there is that scattereth," 
meaning in charitable distributions, *• and yet in- 
creaseth :" that " (he liberal souldeviseth liberal things, 
and by liberal things shall he stand;" and that when 
any give with a prudent generosity to the support and 
relief of suffering humanity, and the promotion of the 
designs and institutions of genuine benevolence, and 
real utility, it shall be given to them again, "good 
measure, pressed down, and running over." " Thus 
he hath said, who cannot deceive us.'* And there are 
perhaps no assurances and promises, of the word of 
God, more evidently and remarkably fulfilled than 
these in the view of all who observe the course of Prov- 
idence. 

The most benevolent and charitable are not exempt* 
ed from the common adverse occurrences of life, which 
come alike to all ; *< excepting that they come with the 
evidences and blessings of a heavenly Father's love to 
his children 5 while, with all other things, they work for 
their good. But if those who have, according to their 
abilities, abounded in the works of mercy and charity, 
ihould ever h% reduced to circumstances of want and 



AT THE ORPHAN-HOUSE# 151 

distress, they may with peculiar confidence expect lo 
experience from their fellow-men, the compassion and 
assistance, which thej have rendered to others, in a 
similar situation ; or they may, rest assured, that the 
Lord himself will, in a more immediate way, speedily 
deliver them, or graciously strengthen them, and sup- 
port them, in the time of their trouble. 

Has it been hitherto your happy lot, instead of ex- 
periencing those adverse changes to which all are liable, 
to minister rather to the relief of those who are suffer- 
ing under them ? And have you not found, that through 
the manifest interpositions of God's good Providence, 
securing to you the favour and friendship of your fel- 
low-men, or in other ways remarkably directing your 
counsels and undertakings, and crowning your labours 
with success, he has abundantly verified to you his 
sacred word, by which, with the most condescending 
goodness, he represents those who consider, and pity, 
and relieve the poor, as lending to himself ; and has 
engaged to pay again to such, what they have given ? 

Frequent and various are the occasions, on which 
you are called to help the poor, whom you have al- 
ways with you ; and to give your aid to the support of 
institutions, more or less private or public, designed to 
minister to the relief of the necessitous and the suffer- 
ing, to advance the interests of literature and religion, 
and to promote the welfare and happiness of individu- 
als, and of society. Such occasions have, I doubt not, 
been regarded by you in one view, as desirable oppor- 
tunities offered, in the course of Divine Providence, 
for testifying your gratitude to the bountiful Author 
of all your enjoyments, and the generous zeal with 
which you are ready to do good to ail men, to whom 



152 AN ADDRESS, DELIVERED 

the benign influence of your philanthropy, can be ex- 
tended. And have you had cause to apprehend, that 
your success was interrupted, or your prosperity im- 
paired, in consequence of what you thus dedicated to 
the honor of God, and the benefit of your fellow-men ? 
Have you not, on the contrary, found the blessing of 
the Lord visibly attending your lawful business and 
pursuits, and his bountiful hand, soon and signally, re- 
plenishing your treasures, and abundantly making up 
to yon, what you had expended on proper principles, 
in such worthy and useful services ; and often by 
means entirely unforeseen, and from sources altogether 
unexpected ? 

The present occasion affords another interesting op- 
portunity for manifesting, that you have not become 
weary in well doing. 

You have planted here a radfet valuable tree in a fer- 
tile and well prepared soil. * Distinguished by the 
favour of heaven shining upon it with the kindest beams, 
it has taken root, and grown, an«l flourished, in a degree, 
perhaps, surpassing your first most sanguine expecta- 
tions. Under its wide-spreading shade, how many 
houseless wanderers, have been most comfortably 
sheltered fro^n the consuming heat, and desolating 
storms of adversity ; and by its pleasant, nourishing 
fruits, how many feeble travellers, in some of the most 
rugged and uncertain paths of life, have been most sea- 
sonably cheered and refreshed ; when ready to faint 
and perish ! 

That it may still live and grow and flourish, and 
yield its precious fruits without diminution, and in yet 
richer abundance ; it must be still watered again and 
again, by the same fostering hand of charity, which has 



AT THE ORPHAN-HOUSE. 153 

already done so much towards rearing it to that degree 
of vigor and utility, to which it has already risen. 
• And thus, I doubt not, you are on this occasion pre- 
pared again to contribute to its support, and to the in- 
crease of its strength and fruitfulness. 

In this persuasion I commend it, with the most pleas^ 
ing confidence and animating hope, to your continued 
kind attention and beneficent care ; and above all, to 
the protection and favour of his gracious Providence, 
by whose bles^sing it has been hitherto so signally 
prospered, and through whose good hand alone it can 
still be perpetuated, and carried forward to that full 
maturity, and extensive usefulness, to which it may yet 
be advanced* 

But before I conclude this address, I hope T may 
be indulged a little longer, by the candor and patience 
of this respectable assembly, while I attempt to sug- 
gest, in the plainest language, a few words of adujoni- 
tion and exhorfatioUj to the children of this Asylum. 

My young friends. There are I trust a number of 
you, who are able to understand what I now wish to 
say io you. Hear me then, with attention ; and 
may the Lord graciously dispose your hearts to feel 
and improve what you hear. 

Many of you are orphan children, deprived, at a time 
when you were least capable of taking care of your- 
selves, of the parents who might naturally have been 
expected to be your best earthly friends. Others of you, 
though not thus bereaved of your parents, were, while 
left with them, subjected to so many disadvantages, 
that you seemed to have no good reason to hope, that 
you would ever be well provided for in the things of 
this world, or trained up in the way which leads to the 

happiness oi the life to come. ^ 

20 



154 AN ADDRESS, DELIVERED 

Buf when you were in these unhappy circumstances, 
your Heavenly Father, who is equally the Maker of 
the rich and the poor, and with whom there is no re- 
spect of persons, was pleased to pity you, and to 
shew you mercy. Having the hearts of all men in his 
hands, he inclined the hearts of those who were able 
to help you, to view your case with the feelings of a 
tender compassion,, and to build for you, and such as 
you are, this spacious and excellent house, where, dur- 
ing the most helpless years of your life, yon are provid- 
ed with comfortable lodging, food and clothins, and are 
commiUed to the direction of well qiiali6ed governors 
and teachers. Under their care you are kept out of the 
way of many sins and temptations, which might, in other 
circumstances, have ruined you in body and soul, and 
made you miserable «n time and through eternity ; and 
hy theirinstructions you may obtain such an education, as 
will prepare you for learning and pursuing, in due time, 
some honest trade or business, by which you may here- 
after live reputably and comfortably in the world. But 
what you should reckon among the greatest advantages 
of your present situation, is, that you are here particu- 
larly taught to read the Bible, the best book in the 
world, it having been written by wise and good men, 
in obedience to the command of God, and by the inspira- 
tion of the Holy Spirit. By reading and understand- 
ing this book, you may learn to know the God who made 
you ; and the Saviour who died to redeem you fro » sin 
and from everlasting misery ; and what you must do to 
please and honor your Maker and Redeemer in this 
world, and to obtain eternal life and blessedness with 
him in the world to come. 



AT THE ORPHAN-HOUSE. 155 

Think of these things, and consider bow thankful 
jou ought to be to the good friends who have gener- 
ously taken so much care, and been at so great an ex- 
pense, for your present and eternal welfare ; and how 
thankful especiallj you ought to be, to the great and 
blessed God, who disposes and enables these friends io 
shew you so much kindness, and who»e mercies to you 
are so many and so great. 

Are your youthful hearts tenderly afFecled, when 
you think how much better and more desirable your 
situation is here, than that of thousands of other poor 
children in the world ? And are you ready io say, 
How shall we shew our gratitude, to our kind benefac- 
tors, who have done, and who are still doing so much 
for our comfort and benefit ? 

Let me tell you ; that the most pleasing return which 
you can make to them, will be, to give them the satis- 
faction of seeing you concerned and endeavouring to 
do well for yourselves. Greatly indeed would they 
be disappointed and grieved, if they should see you 
turn out thoughtless, wicked, and useless creatures, 
determined to go on in the broad road of vice and folly, 
which leads down to everlasting death and destruction. 
But how great will be the pleasure and joy of their 
hearts, if they see you, by your general good beha- 
viour, and especially by a serious attention to the du- 
ties of religion and morality, promising fair to act your 
part well in the stations in which Providence may place 
you in this world, and to secure your interest in a bet- 
ter and more enduring inheritance in heaven, than the 
richest can possess on earth. 

Would you also know what you shall render to the 
Lord, the God of your mercies, for delivering you from 



156 AN ADDRESS, DELIVERED 

the many evils lo which you were lately exposed, 
and favouring jou with the many and great advan- 
tages, which you here enjoy ? 

Let me then remind you, that you ought to feel your 
hearts engaged, by all his goodness and mercy which 
you have experienced ; to remember your Creator 
and Redeemer in the days of your youth ; to remem- 
ber him, so as to fear and love him, to devote your- 
selves to his service, and to seek your happiness in hiis 
favour, even now in the morning of your days. This 
is certainly your most reasonable duty, which you owe 
to your Heavenly Father, and blessed Saviour. If 
you desire thus to fear and love him, and begin thus 
early to seek and serve him, you may well hope that 
he will love you ; that you will find him your best 
friend, and that he will delight to bless you, and re- 
joice over you in doing you good. 

Seek him then with all your hearts, while he may be 
found. Pray earnestly, every day, to your Father in 
heaven, in the name of Jesus your Redeemer, for his 
Holy Spirit, which he is most ready to give to them 
who ask him, that you may be taught by Kim to 
know the Lord as your God, and enabled to believe 
in Christ the Son of God as your Saviour ; and that 
you may be led and kept in the peaceful, pleasant 
ways of his holy religion, to his heavenly kingdom. 

If you thus pray, the Lord will hear you, and grant 
you the mercy and grace which you seek, and bless 
you exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask 
or think. 

The great Lord of heaven and earth, will then be 
your Father, and will be unspeakably better to you, 
than the richest and best parents on earth can be t© 



AT THE ORPHAN-HOUSB. 15? 

their beloved children. And then also, (he Son of 
God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is particularly pleas- 
ed to see liUle children comina; to him, who takes them 
with the greatest tenderness inio the arms of his mercy, 
and into the bosom of his love, and delights to bless 
them and make them happy forever ; who, for the sake 
of making poor sinners rich in the inheritance of his 
heavenly kingdom, once condescended to become so 
poor on earlh, th it he had not a place of comfortable 
lodging where he might lay his head to rest ; this great 
and gracious and blessed Redeemer, will be your 
Saviour and your friend, will provide in the best man- 
ner for all your wants, guide you in the right way, 
make all things work for your good, while you live in 
this woriil,andat last when you die, will receive you 
to behold his glory in heaven, and to enjoy with him 
all the rich and precious blessings of his grace and love, 
through all the ages of eternity. 

Would you, in short, desir^ to enjoy the favour of 
God and men 5 and that it may be well with you both 
now and forever. Let it then be your constant care 
and endeavour, to behave yourselves in all respects 
suitably to the station in which you are here placed, 
and as worthy of the priviledges whichyouhere enjoy. 
Observe carefully the rules and orders made for the 
government of your conduct while you remain inhabi- 
tants of this house. 

Respect, honor, and pray for, all who have the care 
of you, and are studying to make your situation com- 
fortable, and to promote your present and everlasting 
welfare. 

Attend to the good instructions of your teachers, 
and especially to what you may learn by reading the 



158 AN ADDRESS, DELIVERED, ScC. 

word of God, concerning your duty to Him, (o your- 
selves, and to all around you. 

Never let the language of profane cursing and swear- 
ing, of Ijing or rudeness, or any other wicked and 
shameful words, be heard from your lips. 

Live in peace, love, and friendship with each other, 
as it becomes the children of one family, sharing to- 
gether in the same goodness and mercy of the Lord, 
and in the same favour and bounty of the public, by 
which you have been kindly adopted. 

And let your humble, modest, orderly conduct, at all 
times and in every place, shew that you are evidently 
improved in your dispositions and manners, by the ad- 
vantages which you enjoy in this happy habitation of 
charity, this desirable Asylum of the orphan, and of 
the children of want and affliction. 

Remember and do these things ; And may that gracious 
God, who is the Father of the fatherless, and who de- 
livereth the poor, and setteth them on high from afflic- 
tion, be pleased to bless you, and to keep you, and to 
make you truly good, useful and happy in this life ; and 
to grant, that though you should continue among the 
poor of this world, you may become rich in faith, and 
heirs of the heavenly kingdom, which he has promised 
to them that love him. 



THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FILLED WITH HIS GLORY. 



A SERMON, 



DELIVERED 
ON THE OCCASION OF OPENING POR PUBLIC WORSHI?^ 

THE NEW CIRCULAR EDIFICE, 

©N MEETING STREET, 

BUILT FOR THE SERVICE OF GOD, 

BY THB 

INDEPENDENT, OR CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, IN 

CHARLESTON S. CAROLINA. 

OK TiiX lord's sat, IN THE AFTSRNOO^;. 
HAT USr 180S. 



Charleston, May 26th, 1806. At a church meeting this dav held 
in the (/ircular Church, on Meeting Street On motion seconded, it 
tvas resolved, that the thanks of the Church be presented to the two 
Pastors, the Rev. Doctors HoUioshead and Keith, for iheir suitabfe dis- 
courses, delivered yesterday nn the opening of triis circular new b ild- 
ing. And that they be requested to furnish copies of the same, in order 
that they may be printed ; and that they also be requested to prepare aa 
historic sketch of the Church, from its origin to the present ti-ne, to be 
prefixed to them ; and also historical sketches of all its Ministers, as far 
as the same can be obtained from our elder Members, and other sources 
of authentic information. 

GEORGK SMITH, Sec'y. 

Extract from the Minutes. 

Neither of these Discourses was published, (though the one which 
follows, was prepared for the press by its Author) as the " historical 
sketches" requested, were not furnished to accompany them This la- 
bour has since been performed by the late dr david rams/vy, one 
of the most intelligent, active and useful membej's of this Church and 
Congregation, whose talents, information, and industry, qualified him 
eminently to execute such a work. Editor, 



SEEMON. 



HTAGGAI II. 7. 

AND r WILL SHAKE ALL NATIONS, AND THE DESIRE OF ALL 

NATIONS SHALL COME : AND I WILL FILL THIS HOUSE 

WITH GLORY, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS. 

A o see the house in which we are now assembled, 
filled wilh the glory of the Lord, woidd certainly fill 
the heart of every genuine worshipper in it, with a most 
peculiar joy. 

For this every friend of Zion among us, may well be 
expected, humbly and devoutly to pray. And if their 
prayers, in respect to this, should be graciously an- 
swered, they would doubtless consider themselves as 
favoured wiih the most desirable ground for fervent 
thanksgiving and praise. Without this, indeed, the 
most commodious, elegant, and magnificent edifice, 
erected for the worship of God, would remain destitute 
of that distinction, which would constitute its highest 
honor, its only real value ; while the simplest struc- 
ture, thus distinguished, would be truly honorable and 
amiable in the view of all who prefer the tokens of the 
Lord's presence and favour, to the most admired display 
of human art, or of worldly pomp and splendour. 

In the earlier ages of the world, it does not appear, 

that the Lord had any other temples prepared for his 

worship, than the pure and pious hearts of those whom 

Ijis own grace had prepared " to wprship him in spirit 
21 



162 SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

and in truth ;" and their sacrifices, prayers, and praises^ 
were offered to hira in the open air ; sometimes under 
the refreshing shade of a tree, or wilhin the agreeable 
covert of a grove, where the scene, naturally tranquil 
and solemn, would invite to the exercises of devotion. 
In these circumstances was the worship of God attend- 
ed by Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, and all the pious 
fathers, who lived before the flood ; by Abraham, Isaac, 
Jacob, and his sons, the twelve patriarchs ; and by all 
who walked with God, in succeeding ages, until the 
time of the sojourning of the Israelites in the wilder- 
ness, on their way from Egypt to the promised land. 
During that period, the chosen people of God were 
formed into a more regular church state, under the cer- 
emonial dispensation, established by the ministry of 
Moses. Then the Lord was pleased to order the con- 
struction of a moveable Tabernacle, suited to the cir- 
cumstances of the people, while sojourning in tents. 
This Tabernacle, in its various parts, and with its pecu- 
liar furniture, was designed and adapted to represent 
the present condition of ihe church in ihe world, as fa- 
voured with the means of redemption and grace ; yet 
continuing imperfect, subject to many vicissifudes, and 
destined to pass through the humiliating scene of dis- 
solution in the hour of death, to the full perfection and 
eternal glory of the heavenly state. 

Within this Tabernacle, among other articles appro- 
priated to the service of God, and typical of spiritual 
things, the ??acred Ark, containing the covenant of God, 
was deposited ; while above it rested the cloud of 
glory, which was the striking and impressive symbol of 
the Divine presence, with which it was honored. To 
this, as the chosen and consecrated habitation of the 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH, 163 

Cjod of Israel, were the people required to resort, when 
they held their solemn assemblies ; and here the prin- 
cipal sacred services, which constituted their public 
worship, were ordered to be performed. 

After (he settlement of Israel in (he land of Canaan, 
this venerable Tabernacle was, in process of time, suc- 
ceeded by, and gave place to, the celebrated Temple, 
built by Solomon, about one thousand years before the 
Christian era. As this temple was built accordinj^ to 
a pattern given by the Spirit of God to David, and by 
Lim delivered to his son Solomon ; as it was construct- 
ed with the most substantial and costly materials, and 
finished with the most exquisite taste and workman- 
ship ; as it contained the ancient Tabernacle, with all 
its sacred furniture, and was distinguished by similar 
tokens of the Divine presence and favour ; and as it 
was a type of the incarnate Redeemer, it was unques- 
tionably the most remarkable and glorious edifice, ever 
erected by the hands of men. This magnificent Tem- 
ple, having stood about four hundred years, was at 
length, on account of the sins of the people, given into 
the hands of their enemies, the Chaldeans : by them it 
was stripped of all its splendid ornaments and rich 
treasures, and then reduced to a pile of melancholy 
ruins ; while the nation, whose pride and boast it had 
been, were led away to suffer the calamities of a seven- 
ty years captivity in Babylon. 

On the restoration of the Jews, at the end of that 
term, to their own land, the rebuilding of their Temple 
was undertaken ; and in the midst of many difficulties, 
and great opposition from hostile neighbours, it was 
carried on during the space of about twenty years, till 
it was at length completed, and dedicated to the ser- 
Tice of God, 



164 SERMOIf DELIVERED AT THE 

This second Temple was, in many respects, greatly 
inferior lo the first. Hence, when the foundation of 
it was laid, rnanj, on this interesting occasion, shouted 
aloud for jov ; there were inanj, on the other hand, 
of (he priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers 
that were ancient men, and had seen the first house, 
who wept with a loud voice, while they perceived how 
far this house would probably fall short of the former, 
in beauty and grandeur. Thus they discouraged the 
people, in the arduous work which they had begun ; 
and it appears that the building proceeded heavily and 
slowly, and was attended with frequent interruptions, 
and much unnecessary delay. 

In these circumstances the prophet Haggai, by 
a Divine commission, was sent to themforlhep^irposesof 
reproving their negligence, and animating them in their 
undertaking. He accordingly reminded them, that, 
on account of their suffering " the house of the Lord 
to lie w^aste, while they dwelt at ease in their ow n ceil- 
ed houses," the Lord had visited them with unfavoura- 
ble seasons, and blasted their hopes from the fruits of 
the earth. Then with a view to excite them to resume 
and prosecute the work with alacrity and diligence, he 
assures them, that in this case, " the Lord would be with 
them, as he had been with their forefathers,'' to pros- 
per and to bless them ; and that he would take pleasure, 
and be glorified, in the house which they should build. 
To obviate the discouragement which they felt from 
the consideration, that this house must appear as noth- 
ing, in comparison, in the eyes of those who had seen 
the first house in its glory, he directs their views to an 
event in its nature, the most important and interesting 
that ever took place in the world ; an event wJiicfe 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH. 16S 

would occur, during the existence of this second Tem- 
ple, and which would give a greater glory to this latter 
house, than any which belonged to the former. For to 
this house, the long expected Messiah would coaie j 
even that Divine Saviour, who is described as " the 
Desire of all nations," because in him all the nations 
of the earth were to be blessed, and to him would they 
ally in due time, look with ardent desire, as their conso- 
lation and hope, their salvation and glory. His coming, 
they are encouraged to expect, " in a little while ;'* 
within a short space of time, compared with the years 
that had passed ; the centuries that had rolled away, 
since the first promise of salvation in him to fallen man. 
In this view, soon would that " shaking of the heavens 
and the earth, the sea and the dry land, and of all the 
nations," take place, which signified those great politi- 
cal convulsions and revolutions that would terminate in 
the extension and establishment of the Roman empire 
over the principal nations, commonly called the whole 
world ; and more especially, that great change in the 
Jewish church and state, which would include the ab- 
rogation of their ritual law, and the introduction of the 
Christian dispensation, that was to endure to the end of 
the world. Then, in the fulness of the time appoint- 
ed, and in the circumstances ordained to attend his ap- 
pearance in the world, the Messiah would come to this 
second Temple, and by his presence, fill that house 
with a glory far surpassing all the external magnificence 
and splendour, by which the first Temple was distin- 
guished. 

This promise, made more than five hundred years be- 
fore the coming of Christ in the flesh, was in its time 
fulfilled ; when, as the Apostle testifies, " The Word w^as 



165 SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

made flesb, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glo- 
ry, (he glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of 
grace and truth." Then was this promise realized in 
that house, which was not long afterwards completely 
destroyed and laid waste, together with the city of Je- 
rusalem, in which it stood. Then did the sceptre of 
government totally depart from Judah, and the Jew- 
ish nation, divested of the high honor and sacred privi- 
leges, which belong to the church of God, were scatter- 
ed abroad among all the other nations of the earth ; and 
in all places of their dispersion, they have, for more than 
seventeen centuries, continued under those awful 
frowns of heaven, which visibly and strongly mark 
their peculiar guilt, in rejecting their Messiah, and cru- 
cifying the Saviour of the world ; and from which they 
will not be delivered, " till they shall return and seek the 
liord and David their king, and shall fear the Lord and 
bis goodness in the latter days." 

Since that memorable period, the Temple of the 
Lord has been in every place, where the exalted Re- 
deemer, for whom the pious formerly " waited, as the 
consolation and glory of Israel," and who was *' set to 
be a light of the Gentiles, that he might be for Salva- 
tion to the ends of the earth," finds any number, even 
two or three of the church, which he has bought with 
his blood, gathered together in his name, for the pur- 
poses of waiting upon him in the ordinances of his 
grace, and of ofifering the homage of their worship, to 
God in him, according to the rules of his word. 

Considering then the promise in our textf in the true 
spirit of it, as applicable to every place in which the 
disciples and friends of Christ are assembled, and en- 
gaged in the exercises of Christian worship ; may we 



OPENING OP THE NEW CHURCH. 16^ 

not now cherish <he pleasing, animating hope, that this 
house, which we have prepared for the worship of oiir 
God and Saviour, and which we are this day dedicat- 
ing to his holy service, may he filled with his glory ? 

The observations which have been already suggest- 
ed, will lead us to consider the presence of the Lord, as 
constituting the glory with which we should desire to 
see the house of his worship filled. 

That our desire of seeing this, may be the more ra- 
tional, pure, and animated, by being directed to its 
proper object : I shall now endeavour to shew, 

L What we are \o understand by the presence of 
the Lord, in the house or place where he is worshipped* 

II. In what respects the presence of the Lord may 
be expected to fill i\\Q house or place of his worship 
with glory. 

I. What we are to understand by the presence of 
the Lord in the house or place where he is worshipped* 

The presence of the Lord is indeed every where j 
and there is no place in which his glory is not displays 
ed, or may not be perceived by the eye of reason or of 
faith. " Am I a God at hand, and not afar off? Can 
any hide himself in secret places, that I shall not see 
him ? saith the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth f 
saith the Lord.""^ Impressed with this grand and aw- 
ful truth, the Psalmist exclaims, •' Whither shall T go 
from thy Spirit ; or whither shall I flee from thy pres- 
ence ? If I ascend into heaven, thou art there ! If I 
make my bed in hell, behold thou art there ! If I take 
the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost 
parts of the earth, even there shall thine hand lead me, 
and thy right hand shall hold me."t 

* Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. t Psalm cxxxix, T— 10. 



168 SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

These things are spoken of the essential, universal 
presence of Jehovah* 

But the subject of our present meditations, leads us 
to consider rather his special presence, or the peculiar 
manifestations of himself, which be grants to those 
whom he condescends to favour and to bless. The 
presence of the Lord, in this sense/ constitutes the 
heavenly state of glory and felicity, in which Daniel saw, 
in prophetic vision, an innumerable multitude of holy 
and happy spirits ministering to the Lord, and ten 
thousand times ten thousand, standing before him.^ 
And of this David speaks, in language the most ani- 
mated and expressive, when he says, " In thy presence, 
is fulness of joy ; at thy right hand are pleasures for- 
ever more."f 

The presence of the Lord, in this sense, is not how- 
ever confined to heaven. It is vouchsafed also to his 
people on earth. " For thus saith the high and lofty 
One, who inhabiteth eternity, and whose name is Holy : 
I dwell in the high and holy place ; with him also, that 
is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the 
spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the 
contrite ones. "J To the same purpose his word as- 
sures us, that he draws nigh to them who draw nigh to 
him. II And the experience of the pious, co-incides with 
his word, in pronouncing the persons blessed, whom 
the Lord chooses and causes to approach unto him, 
that they may dwell in his courts, or wait upon him in 
the ordinances of his worship. § In this view, also, he 
has graciously promised to his people, saying, " In all 

* Dan. Tii. 10. f Psalm xvi. U. t Isai. Ivii. 15 J| Jam. iv. «. 
§ JPsalra IxT, 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH. 169 

places where I record my name," or where he appoints 
his worship to be attended, " 1 will come unto thee, 
and bless thee. "^ 

Now it is to this manlfestalion of the special, gra- 
cious presence of the Lord, by which he comes to his 
people, in the communication of the blessings of his fa- 
vour, that our views are to be directed, when we con- 
leaiplate his presence, as filling his house, or the place 
of his worship, with glory. And the spirit of our text 
leads us tt- regard the Lord Jesus Christ, the second 
person in the adorable Trinity, as being, in a peculiar 
sense, the Lord, who thus comes to the house or place 
where his church assemble, for the purposes of relig- 
ious worship. As in Christ all the fulness of the God- 
head dwells bodily ;f so it is in his person, and through 
his mediation, that all the gracious manifestations of 
God are made to fallen man. And it is by the commu- 
nication of the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father in the 
name of Christ, that the Divine presence is thus grant- 
ed to those who are favoured with it* It was accord- 
ingly to this presence o( Christ the Lord, that the faith 
and hope of the Jews were directed in our text, when it 
was promised, that the Temple which they were then 
building, should be filled with his glory. Conformably 
to this idea, it is of those who constitute his church, 
which he came to redeem and sanctify, to establish and 
to build up in the world, that Christ himself speaks, when 
he says, " Wherever two or three are gathered to- 
gether in my name, there am I in the midst of them :'* 
and when, on another o -cation, t ) his chosen ministers, 
whom he gave to his church for its edification, he de- 
livered that most comprehensive and encouraging 

* Exod. XX. 24. f Col. ii. Da 

22 



ITO SERMON DELITERED AT THB 

promise, saying, " Lo ! / am with [you dways, even 
unto the end of the world. "^ 

How much is it to be desired, that this glorious 
Lord and Saviour of the church, may be graciously 
present with us, whenever we come together, with the 
pious design of joining in the exercises of Divine wor- 
ship in this house ! 

And if there be found among us, a number of real be- 
lievers, although not exceeding two or three, who, on 
the occasions of their assembling here, sincerely and 
earnestly desire to be thus favoured with the presence 
of their Lord, they may with humble confidence ex- 
pect, that he will come, and fill this house with his glo- 
ry. 

Let us now proceed to consider, 

IL In what respects the presence of the Lord, maj 
be expected to fill the bouse of his worship with glory. 

The presence of the Lord fills the house of his wor- 
ship with glory, 

I. As in the enjoyment of his presence his worship- 
pers are led to behold and contemplate, with peculiar 
satisfaction, the glory of his infinite perfections, dis- 
played in the salvation of fallen man. 

To those who are prepared to "worship the Father 
in Spirit and in truth," the infinite excellencies of the 
Divine Nature are manifested through Jesus Christ, in 
a manner the most pleasing and attractive. 

The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, is " the 
brightness of the Father^s glory, and the express image 
of his person."f Being one with the Father and the 
Holy Spirit, he possesses equally every perfection 
and glory of Deity. Hence it is said^ that " the name 

* Mat. XYiii. 20 j Mat. xxviij. 20* t Heb. i. S. 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHtTRCH. iTl 

of God is in him ;"^ and he is called the blessed and 
only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords." 
He is declared, also, to be " God over all, blessed for- 
ever.'^f 

But in his person, the nature of rnan, in order to the 
accomplishment of the great work of man's redemption, 
was assumed into a most mysterious and wonderful 
union with the nature of God ; and in Him the bright 
perfections of Deity are presented to our minds through 
the softening veil of humanity, so blended, as it were 
with the created excellencies of human nature, that in 
Him we may contemplate the glory of God, not only 
without being overwhelmed with the view, but with the 
sweetest and highest satisfaction of soul. As his name 
is called Immanuel, because he is " God with us," 
even " God manifest in the flesh :" so " they who see 
him," with the eye of faith, " see the Father also. "J 
They see the Father, not in his absolute character of in- 
finite power, holiness, justice and truth, appearing as " a 
consuming fire," to the guilty sons of men ; but as " the 
Father of mercies, and the God of all grace ;" as the 
God whose nature is " Love." 

While in Christ they behold the mercy and truth of 
God met together, and righteousness and peace embrac- 
ing each otherjil in the great design of recovering fallen 
man from sin and condemnation, to holiness and peace 
with God ; while in this adorable Mediator of the new 
covenant, they behold the amazing condescensions and 
displays of love, of love Divine, of love surpassing all 
expression, and exceeding all comprehension ; love 

* Exod. xxiii. 21, f 1 Tim. 6. 15 ; Rom. ix. 3. i John x'lv. 9. 

II PEalm Ixxxv. 10. 



172 SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

providing a sacrifice of infinite value and efScacy' for 
the expiation of hiHiian gnilf, and the satisfaction of 
Divine jiislice ; love reconciling sinners, chargeable 
with the most unprovoked rebellion, and the most pro* 
roking crimes, to their offended Creator and Sover- 
eign ; love, from efernifj embracing the most unworthy, 
and raising the most vile and wretched from the depths 
of pollution and misery, and the borders of hell and 
despair, to the high privileges of the sons of God, on 
earth, and to thrones of glorj^, in his presence, in Heav- 
en ; they are, by the constraining influence of this great 
and wonderful love of God, led to say with the Apos- 
tle, surely " God is love."^ And when the Son of 
God, in whom the love of God thus shines, in all its own 
attractive splendours, vouchsafes, according to his 
promise, to be in the midst of (hose who are met to- 
gether in his name, for the purposes of re]igioi?s wor- 
ship, he fills the place in which they are assembled 
wilh glory, by a most pleasing display of the glory of 
God, which ihus shines in his face. Hence they are led 
to pronounce a day in his courts, w here he thus manifests 
himself, to ihose who humbly and devoutly wait upon 
hira, better than a thousand spent in the ordinary occu- 
pations and enjoyments of life. 

n. The presence of the Lord fills his house with glo- 
ry, as it gives efficacy and success to the means of 
grace dispensed in it, by which his name is eminently 
glorified. 

When a house is built for the Lord, and dedicated 
to Lira, it is to be considered as solemnly set apart 
to the special purpose of accommodating his worship- 
pers in their attendance upon the ordinances of his, 

• John iv. 8,. 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH. 173 

grace, and those exercises of devotion, whicli he has 
appointed, as ihe necessary and the best means for pro- 
moting the salvation of sinners, and the edification of 
bis people. And if in complij^nce with this sacred and 
important design, it be religiously improved, and the 
worship of God be devoutly attended in it, and faith- 
fully maintained on the principles, and according to the 
rules, of his word, it may then, with propriety, be call- 
ed, The House of the Lord; and he will assuredly 
honor it with his presence, and the manifestations of his 
glory. 

In such an house " he records his name," while 
there he appoints those ordinances to be observed, 
which bear witness to their Divine Author, especially, 
as they display the greatness of his love, and the riches 
of his grace ; and to those, who in the place where his 
name is thus recorded, humbly wait upon him in the exer- 
cise of faith and hope, and with the temper of love and 
obedience, he will come and bless them. This he 
will do by the communication of his Spirit, to make 
these ordinances effectual to the promotion of their 
present spiritual improvement, and of their future ever- 
lasting happiness. Thus will they be most essentially 
benefitted, and his name be eminently glorified. 

The House of the Lord is designed to be an " House 
of prayer for all people.""^ There his worshippers 
are allowed and called " by prayer and supplication, 
with thanksgivings, to make known their requests," 
for themselves and each other, and for all men. And 
when the Lord is present in his house, he pours out 
upon those who humbly and devoutly wait upon him, 
<« the Spirit of grace and supplications."f And to 

* Isaiah Ivi. 7. | Zech. xii. 10. 



174 SKRMOIf DELIVERED AT THE 

their prayers, thus inspired by his Spirit, offered up 
according to the directions of his word, through the 
mediation of his Son, " He who heareth prayer," will 
vouchsafe a listening ear; and in answering the prayer 
of faith, he will shew himself " able and willing to do 
exceeding abundantly, above all that they can ask or 
think."^ There, also, offering their sacrifices of thanks- 
giving to his name, with that affecting view of his glo- 
rious perfections and wonderful works, and of his innu- 
merable and most precious benefits, temporal and spir- 
itual, which they have experienced, or for which they 
are still allowed to hope, and with that lively impres- 
sion of the manifold, sacred, and tender obligations by 
"which they are bound. He graciously regards and ac- 
cepts of " those offerings of their praise, as glorifying 
him," and he gives them more clear, enlarged, elevated 
and delightful views of the glories which compose his 
great name, of the excellencies of his character, of the 
works and benefits of his hand ; and of that peculiar 
" goodness of his House, which eminently constitutes 
the glory with which he fills the place of his worship, 
and in which his sincere worshippers rejoice with the 
highest satisfaction and delight. 

Another object for which we are to assemble in the 
house of the Lord, is to attend on the ministry of his 
word. The word of the Lord, contained in the sacred 
volumes of the Old and New Testaments, was originally 
spoken and written " by holy men, as they were mov- 
ed by the Holy Ghost ;" and " the sacred Scriptures, 
thus given by inspiration of God, are able, are designed 
and adapted, to make men wise unto salvation, through 
faith which is in Christ Jesus ; and to be profitable for 

* Ephes. iii. 20, 



OPENING OP THE NEW CHURCH. l7 5 

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in 
righteousness ; that the people of God may be thorough- 
ly furnished unto all good works. "^ But that the 
Scriptures, may the better serve these important pur- 
poses, the Lord, in his infinite wisdom and grace, has 
set apart in his church, an order of men^ under the 
character of his ministers, to preach the word, to declare 
and explain the truths contained in it, and to present 
them in the most impressive and persuasive j man- 
ner, to the minds of their hearers. When he thus com- 
mits the ministry of the word to those whom he has 
chosen, called and qualified by his grace to be his am- 
bassadors ; he may be expected to furnish them from 
time to time with a *^ supply of his Spirit," propor- 
tioned to their work and their wants ; and having " this 
sufficiency derived from God, who makes them able 
ministers of the New Testament, they are prepared to 
fulfil their sacred trust, and arduous office, so as " to 
save themselves and those who hear them."f 

And when, with the spirit of wisdom, fidelity, zeal, 
and tenderness, becoming their office and station in the 
church, they " rightly divide the word of truth, keep- 
ing back nothing that may be profitable to their hearers ;" 
then is the hand of the Lord usually seen to be " with 
them ;" and his Spirit working by the word, makes it 
visibly " the power of God to salvation," to some, at 
least, of those who bear it, and happily conducive, in 
the case of those who thus feel its saving power, to 
their advancement in the life of grace, in the knowl- 
edge of their Lord and Saviour, and conformity to his 
example, and in the faith, the hope, and the consola- 
tions of bis gospel. In these admirable and excellent 

* 2 Tim. iii. 13—17. f 2 Cor. iii. 5, D j 1 Tim. iv. 16. 



176 SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

effects of Ihe ministry of his word, honored with hia 
special presence and blessing, how pleasing and desira- 
ble are the displays of the glory of the Lord, with 
which he fills the Temple of his grace ! 

And when, to the preaching of the word, is added 
the administration of those. holy ordinances, Baplism 
and the Lord's Supper, which our Lord has instituted, 
as the external sacred seals of the covenant of which 
he is the blessed Mediator ; as the solemn memorials 
of his everlasting love, and of the eternal redemption 
procured by his death, and as the affecting, assuring 
pledges of his constant, gracious presence with " his 
church, which he has bought with his blood," which 
he sanctifies by his Spirit, and which, by his ordinan- 
ces in hii earthly sanctuary, he prepares and trains up 
for the inheritance and enjoyment of his everlasting 
kingdom of glory ; how interesting and deligrhtful are 
the displays of his glory, which we are called to con- 
template, in these institutions of his house! And how 
ardent should be the desires, and how high the satis- 
faction, of his people, to see his power and glory, thus 
displayed in the sanctuary of their Saviour and their 
God! 

in. The presence of the Lord fills the bouse or 
place of his worship with glory, as it affords, in the ex-^ 
ercises of his worship, a delightful foretaste and antici- 
pation of the glory of the heavenly state. 

A Christian assembly seriously and devoutly em- 
ployed in the proper business of the sanctuary, exhib- 
its perhaps the best image of heaven, that can be pre- 
sented to our view on earth. Gathered together, in 
the name of their Lord, and favoured with his special 
presence, while his Spirit descends upon them, to ena- 



OPENING OP THE NEW CHURCH. 1 fT 

ble them to perform the holy services in which they 
are engaged with united hearts, and wilh devout and 
fervent affections, they make a near and delightful ap- 
proach to God, and enter into the spirit of the worship 
and the joys of ihe church triumphant in heaven. 

When the Lord, by an abundant supply of his Spirit, 
richly furnishes his ministers with grace and gifts, so 
that they appear to be themselves clothed with righte- 
ousness and salvation, while proclaiming salvation in 
the blood of the Lamb, to their fellow-men ; we are 
led by this view of his ambassadors, acting by his au- 
thority and pleading in his name, to contemplate the 
Redeemer himself, as from his heavenly throne, send- 
ing his angels to testify of his glory, and of his grace to 
the churches, and condescending to persuade those 
who hear the voice of his mercy and love, to come unto 
him, that they may have life, and every one that is a 
thirst, and that is willing to come and take of the waters 
of life freely. 

Does the gospel, preached in its purify, come to 
those to whom it is sent, " not in word only, but in 
power," so that through the Holy Ghost it proves ef- 
fectual to awaken those who were before sleeping se- 
curely in a state of sin and condemnation ? Do we, in 
consequence, observe Ihe anxious eye, and perhaps the 
starting tear, betraying the painful emotions of an heart 
deeply impressed with a sense of guilt, an apprehen- 
sion of danger, and a solicitude to learn the way of sal- 
vation ? We then see the hopeful indications of immor- 
tal souls, excited to fly from the wrath to come, and re- 
solved to enter upon, and to pursue, the way which 
leadeth to life ; and we begin to feel a measure of *' the 

joy that is in heaven over every sinner that repenteth." 
^3 



irS SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

When we see those, to whom the gospel, accompa- 
Died bj the enh'ghtening, renovating energy of the Ho- 
ly Spirit, has proved the power of God to their salva- 
tion, manifesting their experience of this Salvation, in 
the humility and piety, the purity, righteousness, and 
charity of the christian temper and character ; when 
in the house of the Lord, especially we see the spirit 
of devotion which animates the trnly pious, in the sweet- 
ly solemn air which sits on their countenances ; when 
we see their eyes sometimes melting into the tenderest 
expressions of the gratitude and affection, which they 
feel towards the God of their mercies, and of their sal- 
vation ; and of the compassion and love for their par- 
ticular friends, and for the multitudes around them, 
whom they ardently desire to be partakers with them of 
ihe same blessings of the Divine favour; and when in 
the face irradiated with a kind of heavenly glory, of 
which, like Moses, they are not themselves aware, we 
see the mild beamings of faith and hope, of peace and 
joy, elevating the soid above all the scenes, the cares, 
the pleasures of earth and time, to that blessed world, 
where with their God and Saviour, and all the innumer- 
able company of holy angels, and of the spirits of the 
just made perfect, they expect to ascend and dwell, 
and rejoice and triumph forever : when we see these ap- 
pearances of the presence of the Lord in the midst of 
his worshipping people, and of his Spirit animating their 
hearts, in the holy services in whi(?h they are engaged 
in his house, and raising their souls into a near assimi- 
lation to the company, to the employments, and to the 
joys of heaven ; and when we ourselves cordially har- 
monize with such worshippers in their heavenly views 
and feelings ; then do we, in an high degree, perceive 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH. 17^9 

the house of our holy solemnilies filled wUh the glory 
of the Lord. Then are we, in the desire and prospect 
of joining, ere long, in the nobler worship in which the 
church is employed before the throne in heaven, led to 
rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. 

Of the place thus favoured with the presence, and 
filled with the glory of the Lord, we may well say with 
Jacob, when in divine vision he beheld a ladder set upon 
the earth, and the top of it reaching to heaven, and the 
angels of God ascending and descending on it ; " How 
awful is this place ! This is none other than the house of 
God, and this is the gate of heaven !"^ And with the dis- 
ciples, when they beheld our Lord transfigured before 
them, and his face did shine as the sun, and his rai- 
ment was white as the light, and Moses and Elias ap- 
peared talking with him, we may say " It is good to be 
here !" It is good indeed to behold the glory of our 
Lord here ; and this should we ardently desire to see, 
as often as we come up to the house of the Lord our 
God. 

But as here we cannot long abide, our views and de- 
sires, by what we here behold and enjoy, should be 
raised to that bright world, in which we hope " to see 
our Lord, as we are seen of him," and with unspeaka- 
able triumph and transport, to behold his glory forever. 



IMPROVEMENT. 

I. Let us, with adoring hearts, recollect and consid- 
er the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, who 
has condescended to purchase and to sanctify to him- 

* Genesis xxviii. 17. 



180 SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

self, a church among men ; and now allows us to hope 
Ibat he will fill this house, which we have prepared for 
liis service, with his glory. 

This adorable God-man, in the character of the Re- 
deemer of the world, was announced to our first parents, 
immediately after their unhappy fall, in that most gra- 
cious and comprehensive promise ; " the seed of the 
woman, shall bruise the serpent's head;" shall over- 
come the devil, destroy his works, and restore multi- 
tudes of his miserable captives, " to the glorious liberty 
of the children of God." In this view, he was promis- 
ed again and again ; and slill more plainly and fully 
from time to time, in the days of the patriarchs. He 
was then exhibited, in a peculiarly instructive and im- 
pressive manner, in the sacrifices and types of the Mo- 
saic dispensation. In succeeding times, his character, 
his coming and his works ; and the blessings of his sal- 
vation were predicted by the prophets, through the in- 
spiration of the Holy Spirit, in a light more clear, and 
in terms more explitil, until the Spirit of prophesy, be^ 
gan to assume the language of history itself, in speaking 
of *' the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should 
follow." 

At length, in "the fulness of the time," appointed 
end foretold. He, who in the beginning was with God, 
and was God ; He by whom all things were made, and 
by whom they are upheld and governed ; He, who is 
the Prince of life, and the Lord of glory, came down 
to our earth, " in the likeness of men, and in the form 
of a servant ;" yet " manifesting forth his glory, the 
glory of the only begotten Son of God I" He came 
to that second temple, to which ihe promise was made, 
that " the glory of this latter house should be greater 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH. 181 

ilian that of the forraer," because it should be filled 
wilh the glory of his presence, in our nature. He 
came " to give the knowledge of salvation to his peo- 
ple, by the remission of sins, through the tender mercy 
of our God;" became to pour out his blood on the 
cross, while " he offered himself, through the Eternal 
Spirit, without spot to God, that he might purge our 
conscience from dead works, to serve the living God.'' 
And having " suffered for our sins, the Just for the un- 
just," he rose for our justification, &jjd ascended to the 
right hand of the Majesty on high, where " he, who 
tras dead, is now alive, and liveth forever more," exalt- 
ed as " Head over all things to the Church." The 
Chuich he so loved, as to give himself for it : this he 
bought with his own most precious blood, and this he hon- 
ors with his constant, gracious presence ; while by the 
communication of his Spirit, he still continues with his 
ministers and his people ; and especially comes to 
them, and meets with them, and fa\ours them with the 
manifestations of his glory, in every place where they 
are assembled for his worship, sincerely desirous of 
drawing near to him, and humbly waiting for his bles- 
sing in the ordinances of his gospel. 

Are there, in the congregation for whose accommoda- 
tion this house has been built, a number of those " who 
have, through the Divine Mediator, access by the 
Spirit to the Father," as their God, and the God of 
their salvation, who are now " no more strangers and 
foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of 
the household of God !" who are " built upon the 
foundation of the Apostles and Prophets ; Jesus Christ 
himself, being the chief corner stone !" Of such there 
are^ I doubt not, a precious number to be found among 



182 sERMorr delivered at the 

us^ constituting a living branch of that genuine, holy, 
catholic church, which is as old as the first proaiise of 
the Messiah, made to fallen man. With humble confi- 
dence then, may we of this church hope, that " our 
Lord will be with us," and that he will fill with his 
glory, this house, erected for his worship, and dedi- 
cated to his service. 

" But will God indeed dwell on earth ? Behold, the 
heaven, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee ! 
How much less this house which we have builded !'* 

Yet will he in the condescensions of his grace, vouch- 
safe to come and meet, in this house, as many as sin- 
cerely desire his presence here ; and these he will bless 
according to the promises of his word. 

Thus may he be expected to distinguish this house, 
not on account of any beauty, or excellence, or advan- 
tage belonging to the edifice itself; but because here 
he may be glorified ; while here sinners are brought to 
, experience the enlightening, saving power of his gospel ; 
and while here, believers are, by the culture of the or- 
dinances of his grace, trained up for future glory. 

II. Let us be excited and animated to the faithful and 
cheerful performance of the important duties required of 
us, .as we would hope to see this house filled with glory. 
Let us gratefully feel and acknowledge our obligations 
to the Lord, " by whose good hand upon us, we are 
brought hitherto," and are now allowed to appear before 
him, and to attend on the exercises of his worship in this 
house. 

From a small beginning, our church, under many- 
difficulties, has become "greatly increased in its latter 
end.'* 

The old house of worship, lately removed from the 
ground on which this new edifice stands, within the rec- 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH. 18S 

ollection of some of you, was of but little more than 
half the size, to which it was afterwards enlarged. From 
the congregation worshipping in that first small and sim- 
ple building, a considerable proportion, on account of a 
difference in sentiment on some points of church govern- 
ment, withdrew and formed the Presbyterian Church in 
this city, which has become the numerous and respecta- 
ble body, which you see, under that name at this day. 
Yet the growth of the original congregation which re- 
mained, required, in the course of time, an addition to 
their first house, which nearly doubled its size. After 
a lapse of years, room was again wanting for a still grow^ 
ing people. The measure of providing a second house 
of worship, was then adopted, and accomplished, oii 
the principle, that the church, branched out into two 
congregations, and worshipping in two houses, should 
enjoy, alternately and equally, the labours of two pas- 
tors. That second house, neat and commodious, was 
also filled : and soon again you found a pressing de- 
mand, which has existed and increased during some 
years past, for many seats beyond the number, which 
both your houses of worship could supply. To meet 
this demand, and to provide, at the same time, for a 
probable, and accelerated increase of numbers, for 
whom further additional room might be required, it was 
judged expedient, to lake down, rather than to enlarge 
again, your ancient building, and in its place to erect the 
spacious edifice in which we are now assembled. This 
edifice, while it exhibits a new and noble style of archi- 
tecture, and enriches our city with an additional pleas- 
ing monument of taste and liberality, affords within its 
capacious walls, the most convenient and desirable ac- 
commodation for a very large assembly of worshippers. 



184 SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

Who that is interested in the welfare of this branch of 
the Christian church, can view this elegant and valua- 
ble building, without feeling the lively emotions of a pe- 
culiar satisfaction and gratitude, while it is contemplat- 
ed as the Ebenezer, which we have raised, testifying 
that " hitherto the Lord hath helped us." 

Let us then here pause and recollect the first 
rise, the feeble origin, the remarkable prosperity, the 
rapid growth, the present numbers and strength of this 
church ; the t^d commodious houses of worship, with 
which we are now provided ; and all the advantages 
for attending the ordinances of the sanctuary, and sup- 
porting the institutions of the gospel, and transmitting 
its privileges and blessings to succeeding generations, 
which we enjoy under the smiles of a beneficent Provi- 
dence ; and let the language of our admiring, adoring 
hearts be, " What shall we render unto the Lord for all 
his benefits ?" " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, 
but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for 
thy truth's sake !" " For it is thou who performest all 
things for us." 

Having thus obtained help of God, and being thus 
highly favoured of the Lord ; and thus encouraged to 
hope, that •* he will still send us help from the sanctua- 
ry, and strength out of Zion ;" let us now, not reluc- 
tantly, but with a cheerful zeal, fulfil our engagements 
in defraying the whole cost of this very expensive, but 
most valuable building. Although the sum expended 
upon it, greatly exceeds our first expectations, yet, 
it will not, 1 am persuaded, exceed the funds of thii 
church, united with those private resources of its mem- 
bers and supporters, which may* with convenience, be 
applied to this important object. Has there been any 



OPENING OP THE NEW CHURCH. 183 

departure from (he principles of a rigid economy, in re- 
spect to the ditnensions, the style, and cost of this edi- 
fice ? But in regard to these circumstances, has the 
credit of religion, and the lasting benefit, as well as the 
present convenience of this church, been consulted? 
May we not then, reasonably hope, that what has been 
done in this case, with such worthy motives and viewsj 
will not be displeasing to our 2^1 acious Lord, who loves a 
cheerful giver, and delights in repaying what is freely 
gi^en to him, with a beconjing regard to his glory, and 
zeal for the promotion of his interests in the world ? 
Did he not highly commend the affectionate piety of 
the woman, who poured upon himself the box of prec- 
ious ointment, which might nave been sold for much, 
and given to the poor ? And by that example, are we 
not instructed, that them who honor him, by devising 
and doing liberal things, according to their abilities, for 
his sake and the gospel's, he will also honor with his ap- 
probation^ and with the distinguishing blessings of his 
favour ? Are you not also taught by his word, that the 
silver and the gold are his, which you employ in build 
ing an house for him, and in providing for his worship ; 
in a word, that all in the heaven and in the earth is his ; 
that riches and honor come of him ; that he reigns over 
all ; that in his hand is power and might ; and that in 
Iiis hand it is to make great* and to give strength unto 
all ? And do you not also know, that of all which you 
receive from him, you are only stewards, accountable 
fo him as the Lord and owner of all, and under every 
obligation of duty and interest, to improve the talents, 
with which you are intrusted, to his glory ? Where* 
fore attending with reverence to these intimations of 

his will, encourage yourselves in the Lord your God | 
24 



186 SERMOHi^ DELIVERED AT THE 

persuaded, thaf as it was in your heart to build suchan 
house to his name j so now, if it be the sincere desire 
of jour hearts, that jou may see it filled with his glory, 
he will graciously accept and establish the work of your 
hands, and still be with you, and bless and prosper 
you, while you continfje to lore his church, and seek 
its good. And for your particular encouragement, with 
respect to this great undertaking, you may rest assured, 
that the worldly substance, with which, from the dispo- 
sitions of a pious heart and willing mind, you thus hon- 
or the Lord, will be munificently recompensed to you, 
in the course ©f his good providence ; perhaps, in part, 
with a visible and rich increase of the good things per- 
taining to thh life ; but more especially, in an abundant 
supply of the goodness of his house ; of Ihe blessings 
of his gaspel, showered down upon your own souls, and 
descending to your children, and children's children, 
for a long time to come* 

Not satisfied with the honor of consecrating a portion of 
your worldly interests, to the worthy design of building 
this house for the service of the Lord, would you now 
see it filled with his glory ? This should doubtless be 
one of the favourite desires of all our hearts ; and for this 
should we earnestly pray to Him, who will be inquired 
of by us, that he may do it for us ; while he is as will- 
ing, as he is able, to do for us in this case, as in all 
other instances, exceeding abundantly, above all that 
we can ask or think. 

To him then, let oirr ferven^t,aBd continued petitions 
be offered up, not only in the congregation, but in the 
family, and the closet, that he may condescend to be 
present with us, on all the occasions of our solemnly as- 
sembling together in his house^ and favour us with the 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH. 187 

desirable displays of his saving power, and of his amiable 
glories, in his sanctuary. Let it be our heart's desire 
and prayer, that here the heavenly doctrines of the 
gospel may be preached, and its holy ordinances ad- 
ministered, in their genuine purily and simplicity ; that 
here an uninterrupted succession of able ministers of the 
New Testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit, 
clothed with the mantle, and actuated by the princis 
pies, which distinguished those faithful and zealous ser- 
vants of the Lord, who have in former times laboured 
in this part of his vineyard, may here otand and minis- 
ter in his sanctuary ; and in this golden candlestick of 
the Lord, appear as burning and shining lights, and 
prove the honored and happy instruments of turning 
many sinners from darkness, to light ; from the power of 
Satan to God ; and of building up believers on their 
most holy faith, and in their meetness for the inherit- 
ance of the saints in light ; even the incorruptible, un- 
defiled, and unfading inheritance, reserved for them in 
heaven. Let us pray without ceasing, that here, one 
generation after another, through the word of truth, and 
by the spirit of grace, may be born to God, and nour- 
ished and strengthened by the provisions of his house, 
and thus be prepared and trained up for the glory and 
felicity of Heaven. Thus continuing instant in prayer, 
and still praying in faith, we may then rejoice in the 
assured hope, that the Lord will hear and answer us in 
mercy ; that he will condescend to come and dwell in 
this house, as the place of his rest, because he hath de^ 
sired it ; that his eyes will be open, and his ears atten- 
tive, to the prayers that are made in this place ; and that 
here he will clothe his priests wilh salvation, and 
abundantly bless the provisions of his sanctuary ; so 



r 



388 SERMON DELIVEREt) AT THE 

. Ihat the poor, (he hungrj, waitiog soul, shall be salis- 

fied with bread, and his saints be made to shout aloud 
for joy. But not confinins; our views to ourseh es, let 
U3 embrace in our affectionate regards, the church of 
Chrisf, in a!! other places, and let it be our earnest, con- 
stant prayer, that all the nations of the earth may be 
brought into it, as the willing people of our Lord, in 
the day of his power. Then may we, with a joyful hope, 
proportioned to the strength of our faith, and the ardor 
of our desire, anticipate the approaching happy day, 
: when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be estab- 

1 lished in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted 

^ above the hills, and all nations shall Oow into it. And 

I the Loj'd shall be unto his church an everlasting light, 

I and her God her glory. 

I Would you, my friends, in answer to your prayers, 

I ' see the glory of the Lord, and taste of his goodness in 

this house ? Here then let your attendance upon the 
worship of God, be as regular and constant as your 
circumstances will permit. When you are under the 
restraint of afflictive providences ; or when your situa- 
tion will not admit of your waiting upon the Lord in 
his house, if you at the same time really desire his 
i presence and favour, he will be as a sanctuary to you 

f at home, or wherever you may be in the way of duty ; 

j and he will bless you there, and bless you even by the 

trials which prevent your improvement of the ordinan- 
j ces of hispublic worship. But when no insurmountable 

^i obstacle lies in your way, neverallow your attendance on 

I those services, in which you are called to appear be- 

} fore him in his house, to be prevented by the indul- 

gence of a spirit of sloth, by an unhallowed attention to 
the affairs of this life ; by the unseasonable entertain- 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH. 1&^ 

merits of the table ; by the intrusion of worldly compa- 
ny ; or by any dispositions or habits of a reluctant 
heari,or dissipated mind. If you thus wilfully " forsake 
the asseirabiing of yourselves together, as the manner of 
some is," you will most assuredly provoke the displeas- 
ure of jour God, who is parlicularly and highly offend- 
ed with those who " profane his sabbaths, and des- 
pise his holy things." Your conduct in this case, alsOj 
cannot fail to weaken the hands, and discourage the 
hearts, of those who are called to preach to you, that 
word of the Lord, by which you might be saved, but 
within the jojful sound of which you refuse to come. 

Let it be remembered, that every example of this 
kind serves to sanction, and to increase, that neglect of 
the institutions of God's house, that profanation of the 
sacred day of the Lord, and that consequent corrup- 
tion of morals, which are already awfully prevalent in 
the community, and will most certainly, sooner or later, 
draw down upon a guilty land, the righteous judgement 
of heaven. But if you religiously "decline doing your 
own pleasure, on the Lord's holy day, and call the 
sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord honorable |" 
if }^^ou esteem it " good for you to draw near to God" 
in his ordinances, and conscientiously improve your op- 
portunities for " appearing before him" in his sanctua- 
ry : then shall you know the " blessedness of the man, 
who keepeth the sabbath from polluting it," " and who 
loves the habitation of the Lord's house, where his 
saints rejoice in goodness." 

When therefore tb'^ return of the season of public 
worship, and the voice, or the examples of others 
around you, call upon you and say, " Let us go into 
the house of the Lord ;" then let your hearts cheer- 



190 SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

fully reply, Lord, I come, " for my soullongelh for 
the courts of the Lord : and esteeraeth one day enjoy- 
ed in these, better than a thousand spent elsewhere." 

Parents and heads of families, shew your esteem and 
delight in the ordinances of the Lord's house, by resort- 
ing to them with exemplary constancy and devotion ; 
and bring your children with you,when they are capable 
of a proper behaviour here ; that they may become early 
habituated to respect the institutions of the sanctuary, 
and that they may be brought seasonably into the way 
of receiving the blessing of the Lord. 

Children, be persuaded with willing minds, to ac- 
company your parents and friends to the house of the 
Lord. For your encouragement in doing so, remem- 
ber, that, in the temple which our Lord and Saviour, 
filled with his glory, when he came in our nature, he 
most kindly accepted the hosannas of little children ; 
concerning whom he observed that '<out of the mouths' 
of babes and sucklings the Lord ordaineth and perfecteth 
praise !" Remember, alsjo, that the little children, who 
are brought to him in faith, and who willingly come to 
him, desirous of his blessing, he graciously receives into 
the arms of his mercy ; and kindly cherishing them 
in the bosom of his love, as the tender and favoured 
Iambs of his flock, he affectionately blesses them, de- 
claring, that of such is the kingdom of heaven. 

Let the youth of our congregations, who are par- 
ticularly regarded as the rising hope of the church, 
be entreated to attend our solemn assemblies, wilh 
cheerfulness and constancy, watching attentively at 
wisdom's gates, that they may hear divine instruction, 
and by the doctrines of the gospel preached to them, 
they may become " wise unto salvation, through faith 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH, 191 

which is in Christ Jesus." Would you, while rising 
to fullness of stature, or naaturity of jears, increase in 
wisdom and in favour with God and man ? Would you 
be truly happy in yourselves, and aspire to the honor 
of doing the greatest possible good to others ? " Re- 
member then your Creator in the days of your youth," 
and seek without delay an interest in your Redeemer, 
who declares, that " they who seek him early, shall 
find him." Thus, will you become a seed whom the 
Lord condescends visibly to bless, and be prepared to 
shew forth his praise, and to maintain his cause in 
the world. " Your fathers, where are they ? and the 
phophets," or ministers of God, " do they live for- 
ever ?" Soon, my young friends, will your present pas- 
tors, like those who have preceded them, " finish the 
course of their mortal lives, and the ministry which 
they have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the 
gospel of the grace of God." And will you not, be- 
fore they go, allow them th^ high and peculiar satis- 
faction, of seeing you added to the church, among 
" such as shall be saved," and such as shall form some 
of the most precious jewels in their crown of rejoicing 
in the presence of their Lord, at his coming ? 

Soon the heads of your pious parents, if they yet 
live, and of other aged christian friends will be laid 
low under the clods of the valley ; and their happy 
spirits, separated from the family of God on earth, 
and removed from the scenes of activity and useful- 
ness, as well as of trieil, in which they were placed 
here, shall ascend to join the holy and happy family 
in heaven, where " all their work is praise and love," 
and their recompense is the fullness of everlasting joy, 
in the presence of the Lord. How powerfully, how 



192 SERMON DELIVERED AT THE 

persuasively, then, should this consideration call upoH 
you to seek the grace of God, by which you may be 
prepared to fill up the places of our fathers, and 
becoms the honored instruments of upholding the 
church, and supporting the throne of your Redeemer in 
the world, and of perpetuating the institutions of the 
sanctuary, and the blessings of the gospel, to the gener- 
ations, that are to follow you ! Thus will you become 
bright ornaments of the religion of Christ, and prove 
rich blessings in your day, to his church on earth. 
Thus, after perhaps, a lengthened course of service and 
u=<efulness, you will become fitted for high stations of 
h^nor and joy in the presence of your Lord in heaxen. 

Let the servants,^ also, statedly worshipping with 
us, be exhorted to consider, with grateful hearts, the 
desirable privileges with which they are favoured in 
having so large a portion of this spacious building, as 
well as of our other house of worship, appropriated to 
your accommodation, in attending upon the public 
worship of God, the common Father of mankind* 
With him, as we are assured by his word, there is no 
respect of persons, or preference given in shewing his 
mercy to the children of men, on account of their na- 
tional origin, or their situation in life. With thank- 
fulness and diligence then, improve the advanta2;es 
thus allowed you for attending our religious assemblies, 
where you may be instructed in " the faith once de- 
livered to the saints," and become acquainted with 
" the common salvation," purchased for all believers 
by the precious blood of Christ, and which is equally 
and most freely offered to all, who hear the joyful 
sound of his gospel ; and where you may hope to see 

* Alluding to the negro slaves, who attend this place of worship i« 
large numbers. Editor. 



OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH. 193 

tlie glory, and experience (he grace, of that adorable 
Redeemer of the world, whose " gosp»] is preached 
to the poor," and whose spirit makes it effectual " to 
open the eyes of the blind, to accomplish the deliver- 
ance of the captives of satan, and to restore the wretch- 
ed servants of sin, to the holy and happy liberty, 
which is to be found in the service of God, and with 
which the Son of God, the frtend of sinners, makes 
his redeemed people free indeed. Considering then, 
your obligations, in these respects, carefully improve 
the privileges which you enjoy in our houses of wor- 
ship, pray that you may understand the truth and 
grace of the gospel, when you attend the ministrations 
of it. Study to walk according to if, in the course of 
a sober, righteous and godly life ; and particularly, 
by continuing, with good will, and all christian fidelity, 
to perform the services which his word directs you to 
do, to those whom his providence has placed in author- 
ity over you, not merely as done unto men, but to the 
Lord. Thus learning and obeying the truth, as it is 
in Christ, and thus labouring to adorn, in all things, 
the doctrine of God our Saviour; you may comfort 
your hearts with the assurance given you in his word, 
" that whatsoever good thing any man doth, the same 
shall he receive, whether he be bond or free." 

Let us all, in a wordj whether ministering in holy 
things^ or attending in a private capacity, the business 
of the sanctuary in this house, let us all engage 
with united hearts in the holy services, to which we are 
here called, from one sabbath and season of religious 
worship, to another ; and in all the commandments and 
ordinances of the Lord, let us walk humbly, cheerful 

ly, constantly, and exemplarily, that our God and 

2^ 



194 SERMON DELIVERED, &C. 

Saviour, who walks in the midst of the golden candle- 
sticks, may behold us with approbation, and that he 
may be in all things glorified by us. 

Let us, in the fear and love of God, cultivate that 
spirit of brotherly love, of peace and harmony, which 
should ever distinguish a christian society, meeting in 
the same bouse of the Lord, wailing upon him in the 
same religious exercises, enjoying the same gospel privi- 
leges, and cherishing the pleasing,animating hope of shar- 
ing the same iarorruptible, uudefiled, unfading inherit- 
ance in the kingdom of glory. Such a temper and con- 
duct will contribute most certainly and remarkably, 
to the strength, and the growth of this branch of the 
church — of this department of that holy family, of which 
Christ our Lord is the glorious head. 

Thus, united as members of the household of faith ; 
thus by love serving one another ; and thus with one 
mind and one mouth glorifying God, even the Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and honoring the Son, even 
as we honor our Father, we may rest assured, that 
the God of love and peace will be with us, and by an 
abundant communication of the spirit of grace, will fill 
this house with glory. 

Beholding this glory of the Lord in his sanctuary 
below, we shall be changed unto the same image from 
glory to glory, as by the spirit of the Lord ; and thus 
will our preparation and meetness be advanced for 
that bright and blessed world, where the redeemed are 
before the throne of God, and serve him day and night 
in his temple ; and he that sitteth on the throne, shall 
dwell among them, and they, beholding his glory, shall 
be satisfied with his likeness, triumph in his high 
praises, and be filled with the joy of their Lord for- 
ever. Amen. 



AM 



ADDRESS, 



BELIVERED AT A WEEKLY MEETIN«, 



CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY FOR RELIGIOUS WORSHIP 
AND IMPROVEMENT. 

©N FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 22d, 1811, 



i^l^i 



It is with peculiar salisfaction, my worthy 
friends, that I have witnessed the recent establishment, 
and the promising progress, of this society ; and that 
I now meet you here for the purpose oi uniting with 
you in those interesting religious services, which form 
the leading objects for which it was instituted. 

Cherishing the hope that you are already joined to 
the Lord in a perpetual covenant not to be forgotten ; 
or feeling a solicitous concern that you may be found 
among the genuine disciples and followers of Christ ; 
and at the same time conscious of your own weak- 
nesses and necessities, and aware of the advantages to 
be derived from your associating frequently together 
for religious worship and improvement, you have wise- 
ly and well, resolved, to meet together statedly, at 
least on one evening in the course of every week, for 
these important purposes. 



196 AN ADDRESS DELIVERED 

,And in what way could an hour or two, at such 
limes, be employed, that would be better adapted to 
promote the spirit of piely in your own souls, and to 
encourage each other's hearts, and strengthen each 
other's hands, in the great duties, and under the vari- 
ous trials, of the christian life ? 

Nor are jour views of advantage limited merely to 
yourselves ; as you cheerfully welcome your neigh- 
bours around you to join with you in your social wor- 
ship, and your already considerable and gradually in- 
creasing collection of religious books are designed, not 
merely to be read for the common benefit in the meet- 
ings of your society, and for your individual improve- 
Dient in your retired hours ; but to be loaned also, un- 
der proper regulations, to your friends, who may be 
desirous of perusing them ; while in your united 
prayers, it is your purpose and your practice, to re- 
member and to plead for the church of Christ general- 
ly, and those branches of it especially with which you 
are more immediately connected ; for the nation also, 
to which you belong, and in whose safety, peace, and 
prosperity, the most valuable privileges of men, civil 
and religious, and many of your dearest worldly com- 
forts and enjoyments are deeply involved ; in a word, 
for the temporal happiness and eternal salvation and 
felicity of your brethren of the great family of man, 
throughout the world. 

Such are your worthy views, and such the import- 
ant objects contemplated in the formation of this so- 
ciety; the design is certainly in itself laudable ; and 
if, in pursuing it, you continue to be actuated by pure 
and upright principles and motives, and carry it on 
with a spirit of becoming union, harmony and ^ealj, 



• AT A WEEKLY MEETING. 197 

you need not doubt, but that the Lord your God and 
Saviour, whom you thus attempt to serve and honor, 
and who has promised his special presence " wherever 
two or three are met together in his name," for such 
purposes " vpill be with you," and will favour jou with 
his acceptance and blessing, and crown you with the 
honor by which all his sainJs are distinguished. 
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to 
another, and the Lord hearkened and heard, and a 
book of remembrance was written before him for them 
that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name ; 
and they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that 
day when I make up my jewels."* The circum- 
stances of your situation in the world, added to the 
necessities of your souls, having originally suggested 
the expediency of such a religious association, will, I 
trust, still recommend and urge your unremitted at- 
tendance on its meetings, and its exercises, as consti- 
tuting at once the most profitable and the most agreea- 
ble employment to which the evening could be devot= 
ed. 

You need not be informed, — you must be well aware 
and sensibly feel, how much you need all the aid, which 
you can by any means afford to each other in the all 
important concerns of religion. Surrounded with the 
multitude of the careless and the profane, who live 
without God in the world, and in the neglect and con- 
tempt of the gospel of Christ, and of the salvation of their 
own souls, and who pursue the perishing interests, and 
the destructive pleasures of the world, as the only ob- 
jects of their warm regard ; are you not liable to feel 
the unhappy influence of their conversation and con- 

* Malachi iii. 16, 17, 



19^ AN ADDRESS DELIVERED 

duct, in abating the life and fervor of religion in your 
hearts, and assimilating jou too much in your practice 
to the fashion and the course of this evil world ? 

To persevere stedfast and unftioved in the narrow 
way of holiness, which leads to life, in opposition to the 
vastly greater numbers, who are travelling in the broad 
way of sin, through scenes of present unrestrained in- 
dulgence, down to the regions of eternal death ; while 
the corrupt propensities of your fallen, depra\ed na- 
ture, powerfully impel you " to follow a multitude to 
do evil," is like sailing against an unfavourable wind 
and tide combined. And it requires no small degree 
of watchfulness and resolution, of fervor in prayer, and 
activity in labour, in such circumstances, to hold fast 
your own integrity, to keep a conscience void of wilful 
offence, and to guard against the danger of declension 
and backsliding, and much more so, " to grow in grace 
and in the knowledge of your Saviour," and to advance 
from strength to strength in your christian course, 
" Who is sufficient for these things ?" Of yourselves, 
you know, you are not. Under the conviction of this,' 
it is then undoubtedly your wisdom, to avail yourselves 
of all the desirable help which you can obtain. And 
while you look chiefly by faith and prayer, to your 
God and Saviour, that he may " perfect his strength 
in your weakness, and make his grace sufficient for 
you," it behoves you, at the same time to study how 
you may become, in the most effectual manner, "helpers 
of each other's faith and joy," and spiritual improve- 
ment. For this purpose no means, subordinate to the 
ordinances of the sanctuary and the devotions of the 
closet, could have a more favourable tendency, or 
promise a better result, than those which you are pur- 



AT A WEEKLY BIEETINe. 199 

suing, while thus meeting together regularly from time 
to time ; that jou may attend to some peculiarly in- 
structive, searching, quickening or comforting, por- 
tions of scripture ; or pious practical discourses of the 
most approved authors, which may be read among 
you ; that you may perhaps occasionally engage in 
conversation on interesting religious subjects, condu- 
cive to mutual information and edification ; and that 
you may " pour out your hearts" together before the 
Lord in prayer, for all the supplies of mercy and grace, 
which you need in the whole course and circumstances 
of your work and warfare ; in social prayer naturally 
rendered more fervent, and therefore likely to be more 
effectual, by the consideration of your joining together 
in the same solemn act of worship, having in general the 
same sins, wants and sorrows, the same fears, doubts 
and desires to spread before God, and standing equal- 
ly in need of the same blessmgs of his grace and salva- 
tion. 

" As iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance 
of a man his friend.'^ And greatly is the soul often 
enlivened, and improved by joining in such religious 
exercises, as those which you have here in view, 
with christian friends and associates. David, no 
doubt knew the value of religious society, when he said, 
" I am a companion of all them that fear God and keep 
his commandments," and when he spoke of "his good- 
ness as extending not to the Lord, but to the saints 
that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom 
was all his delight." 

Have not you also, often experienced important ben- 
efits in a similar way ? In your ordinary intercourse 
with your christian friends ; if you hav€ perceived 



200 AN ADDRESS DELIVERED 

them to be engaged, with some becoming degree of 
zeal or liveliness in the service of their God, and in 
their attention to the things of their peace ; and if, at 
the same time, you have been sensible of a more coJd, 
remiss and languid frame of mind, have jou not felt 
your resolutions awakened, to shake off the sloth which 
you have indulged, to resist the temptations by which 
you have been overcome ; " to remember from whence 
you have fallen, to repent and do your first- works/' 
or to begin to seek in earnest the great salvation reveal- 
ed and offered in the gospel, if this bad been before 
neglected? And may you not promise yourselves the 
experience of similar advantages, and perhaps in a still 
higher degree, and larger measure, from your uniting, 
and taking part with each other in the appropriate du- 
ties and employments of such an association as this ? 
How pleasing, how animating the thought, that in this 
way, you may be instrumental in contributing so much 
to each other's spiritual improvement in the present 
state of darkness and imperfection ; and consequently, 
in the same proportion, to the advancement of your 
mutual, everlasting happiness, in a future world of 
heavenly light and glory. 

And if the divine life may be thus promoted in 
your own souls, by the means on which you here at- 
tend, will not the same means have the desirable effect 
of " making your light shine with increasing lustre be- 
fofe others, and so giving it an increased efScacy, in 
constraining them, while they behold in your good, 
conduct, more and more of the lovely fruits of your 
holy religion, '< to slorify your Heavenly Father and 
Divine Redeemer ?" Or will they not, be thus, at 
least, more effectually reproved and corrected for theip 



AT A WEEKLY MEETING. 201 

impenitence, their unbelief and their disobedience io 
the gospel, which you profess to adorn ? 

How cheering, also, how delightful is the hope, that 
the prayers in which you here unite, may be gracious- 
ly answered by " Him who heareth prayer," in the 
blessings of his favour, showered down in rich abun- 
dance upon yourselves, and upon many others, whom 
you bear on your hearts, in your devout addresses at 
the throne of Grace ? 

" The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man 
availeth much." The united prayers of the faithful, 
we are encouraged and warranted by the best authori- 
ty to expect, may be still more availing. For to such 
prayers, our Lord has certainly given some special 
and peculiar encouragement, when he says ; " If even 
two of.you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing 
that they shall ask,'* ( in his name, and agreeably to 
the word and will of God,) " it shall be done for them 
of my Father, who is in heaven." Now if is the de- 
clared will of God, that in the religious assemblies of 
bis people " their supplications, prayers and interces- 
sions, with giving of thanks, should be made, not only 
for themselves, but for all men." You have then 
abundant reason for being strong in faith, and cherish- 
ing a good hope, and the most enlarged expectations, 
while you continue to unite your hearts with your 
voices in praying, not only for the salvation and the 
prosperity of your own souls, and for the edifica- 
tion and peace of the church of Christ and its individ- 
ual members ; but for the wider spread and growing 
success of the gospel in the world, that it may have a 
free course and be glorified, in the salvation of multi- 
tudes in every nation ; and that the kingdom of our 
26 



202 AN ADDRESS DELIVERED 

Redeemer, which is the kingdom of grace and rigb« 
teousness, may be established and grow, and flourish, 
on the ruins of the usurped dominion of satan, where- 
ever the children of men dwell on " all the face of the 
earth.'* And surely you cannot have less cause for 
believing and hopina;, that you may be graciously 
heard and answered, when it is " your heart's desire, 
and your prayer to God," for your brethren around you, 
who enjoy with yourselves the external privileges of 
the gospel dispensation, without having yet experienc- 
ed its saving operations, that while they are permitted 
to "seethe heavenly light," and to " hear the joyful 
sound of the gospel," they may be made to feel its 
divine energy, in " turning them from darkness to 
light, from the power of satan to God, and from their 
sins unto righteousness, so that they may obtain the 
forgiveness of their sins, and the salvation of their souls, 
and an everlasting inheritance of life and glory, among 
all them that are sanctified, through the faith that is in 
Jesus Christ." 

Since then you are thus authorized to hope, that you 
may receive the most important benefits to yourselves, 
and at the same time prove instrumental in securing 
the most precious blessings of the grace and love of 
God in Christ Jesus, to an unknown number of your 
fellow-men ; let your hearts be encouraged and ani- 
mated by these considerations and prospects | and let 
it be your particular study and care, that you may 
continue to be of one mind, and of one accord, and that 
with a truly christian spirit of charity, zeal, and con- 
Bfancy, you may persevere in improving the means to 
which you have thus resorted, and which you are now 
pursuing for the attainment of those most interesting 



AT A WEEKLY MEETING. 203 

and desirable objects, (o which jour views were di- 
rected in the establishment of this society. 

For these purposes, may the God of love, of peace, 
and of all grace, be with you : and may you 6nd him 
ever present and ever ready, " to do for you, exceeding 
abundantly, above all that you can ask or think 5" 
through the riches of his grace in Jesus Christ our 
Redeemer and Mediator ; <' who is," with the Father 
and the Holy Spirit, " over all, God blessed for even 
Amen !" 



LETTERS. 



TO MISS N, R. 

ALEXANDRIA, JUNE 25, 1784. 

Mr DEAR N, 

-T ROM the intimate acquaintance which 
has for a considerable time subsisted between us, I am 
induced to believe, that you will taite in good part, the 
freedom of a familiar letter. It is dictated by senti- 
ments of sincere and tender regard for you, designed^ 
while it gratifies ray own feelings, to afford yon, if not 
an improving entertainment, at least an innocent amuse- 
ment in some of your unemployed moments. 

The esteem which I have entertained for your very 
worthy parents, ever since my first knowledge of them, 
would naturally lead me to indulge some partiality 
for those also, who must be particularly dear to them, 
in the relation of children. Even upon this principle, 
I have always derived much pleasure, from that unre- 
served intercourse with you all, from the eldest to the 
youngest, which I have enjoyed during the short stay 
that I am allowed to make in the family, once in the 
year since your removal from Alexandria. But this 
pleasure, I can with sincerity assure you, is greatly in- 
creased by those promising appearances in your char- 
acter, which incline me to hope, that, as you severally 
advance forward on the stage of life, you will individu- 
ally merit the respect that is always paid to virtue^ and 



LETTERS. 205 

conciliate the love and favour, which are always shewn to 
persons of agreeable dispositions, and amiable conduct. 
While I freely express this sentiment, which I ihink to 
be true in itself, and not improper to be communicated to 
you, I have no inclination to deal in the language of 
flattery. My only aim is to encourage those principles, 
and to cherish those opening buds, which may hereaf- 
ter, with due culture, be productive of the happiest con- 
sequences, and crowned with the most desirable fruit. 

I need not remark to you, my dear, that you are now 
arrived at an age, when the little pursuits and amuse- 
ments, which properly enough engage the attention and 
constitute the happiness of children, would be to you 
as unbecoming, as they are unseasonable. I have no 
room to doubt, but that you have commenced the 
young woman, with sentiments suited to support and 
adorn that more important character, in which you now 
appear. I am sure that the motives which serve to en- 
force the cultivation of such sentiments, and of a cor- 
respondent practice, are too obvious not to be discern- 
ed ; too forcible not to be felt, by you. They are 
drawn from the consideration of your own credit and 
interest, which upon the score of a justifiable and laud- 
able self-love, cannot but be very dear to you ; and 
from a principle of gratitude to those, whose study it 
has been to furnish your mind with every valuable ac- 
complishment, of which it was susceptible in the earlier 
days of your youth. To the soft, but powerful, influ- 
ence of this most amiable principle of your nature, your 
tender bosom cannot be insensible. And how pleasing, 
bow delightful must be the sensations which will arise 
in your own heart from the rt flection, that while you 
are pursuing your own truest honor and happiness^ in 



f 



206 LETTERS. 

those patbs of piety and virtue, which the affectionate 
care of your parents has so early marked out, and so 
earnestly recommended to your choice ; you are at the 
same time making them the best, the most satisfactory 
return, which they could possibly wish to receive. 
To such a kind requital, they have surely the best 
founded claim ; and as I am well convinced, that yoa 
are not wanting in a disposition to pay it, so it is with 
the sincerest pleasure, I find, that your endeavours in 
that way have not been ineffectual. Your dear moth- 
er expresses, in terms not a little flattering, her appro- 
bation of your conduct ; and also of that of your little 
sisters, since the weighty charge of the family has fal- 
len, in so great a degree, upon herself. Her instruc- 
tions and example, I doubt not, have had an happy in- 
fluence. Let them be duly attended to for the time to 
come. You cannot fail to profit greatly by them. 
And think how happy it will make your honored fath- 
er, should he be restored to you, to participate in the 
praises, which he shall find his children have been, and 
I trust will still continue to be, ambitious to deserve. 

But whether he is reserved for the enjoyment of so great 
a satisfaction, is yet to us a distressing uncertainty,, 
What the determination of Providence respecting him 
may have been, time will at length discover; and pos- 
sibly the discovery may be such, as will gratify the 
warmest wishes of all who are now anxiously concern- 
ed for his safety. In the mean time, this we have the 
best ground to believe, that it is well with him. There 
is no situation into which he may be cast, but what I 
trust will be sanctified to his benefit. And if his con- 
nexion ^ith this life has ceased; if the happy days 
which he has heretofbre spent with the amiable partner 



t 



LETTERS. 20T 

of his bosom, with the children of his love, are not to be 
renewed ; if the joys which he might have yet promis- 
ed himself, fronvthis purest and richest source of earth- 
]y felicity, are not to be realized ; let us comfort our- 
selves with the hope, with the assured persuasion, that 
he has a far happier lot in the glorious family of heav- 
en, where the pleasures of friendship are undissembled 
and complete ; where the blessings of society are ex- 
alted to their highest perfection, and permanent as eter- 
nity. In whatever manner this \evy interesting mat- 
ter may be ordered, it certainly becomes us, with un- 
repining resignation, to acquiesce in the event, and to 
adore the hand by which it has been directed ; not 
doubting but that what God has done, is intended to ac- 
complish some design of infinite wisdom, goodness, and 
love to him, and to all intimately and tenderly connect- 
ed with him. 

I know, my dear N. that to be deprived, should it be 
your lot, so early in life, of so valuable a parent, is an 
affliction in itself, very severe, and which you must 
deeply feel. Yet, let it be considered, that even this, 
as well as every other painful stroke which you have 
already felt, or which may yet await you, may be over- 
ruled, so as to work for good, and will infallibly do so, if 
wisely improved. It is good, as the Prophet expresses 
it, to bear the yoke in one's youth. Our condition 
must be privileged beyond the common lot of the most 
virtuous and the most happy on earth, if we do not of- 
ten, during our progress through life, experience 
the bitterness of disappointment in some of our favourite 
hopes, and suffer the painful loss of some of our most 
valued enjoyments. It may therefore be highly ex- 
pedient and salutary, to set out in life^ under a disci- 



2©8 LETTERS* 

pllne, adapted to form the mind to habits of reflection 
and resignation, by which it will be best prepared to 
meet, and to sustain, the trials of succeeding years. 
Trials, of one kind or olher, must be expected by all 
the children of Adam, who are born to trouble, as the 
sparks fly upward, Thej usually become more fre- 
quent and painful, as we proceed further in our pilgri- 
mage through life ; and they are, if not absolutely nec- 
essary, at least highly conducive to the safety and 
prosperity of our souls. Wise and happy are they, 
who have been early taught to view them in this light, 
and to bear them, when they come, with suitable humil- 
ity and patience. 

Whatever may be the portion of affliction allotted to 
you, I hope you will never allow yourself to sink in 
despondence under it : but that you will study to add 
to that softness and sensibility of heart, by which I 
wish to see you ever distinguished, that spirit of christ- 
ian faith and fortitude, which overcometh the world. 
This is to be sought by earnest prayer, and to be cher- 
ished by a life of sincere piety, and uniform holiness. 
And they who conscientiously aim to approve them- 
selves to God in these duties, trusting in the merits and 
grace of the Redeemer, for their acceptance and re- 
ward, may, even in the darkest day and most trying 
hour of life, rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of 
their salvation. For the mercy of the Lord is from 
everlasting to everlasting, to those who thus keep his 
covenant, and to those w^ho thus remember his com- 
mandments to do them. As a Father pitieth his chil- 
dren, so will the Lord pity those who thus fear and 
serve him. Such he will never leave nor forsake. 
From such he will never take away his loving kindness. 



LETTERS. ^0^ 

In his profecflon they shall be safe : in the light of his 
couiijenance tbej shall be happj. They who have no 
claim to these privileges of the true christian, will be 
left poor and wretched in the midst of the greatest 
prosperity of this world ; but they who have been wise 
to secure their interests in these, may solace themselves 
"with pleasures and with hopes, which its most flattering 
smiles cannot inspire, and which its severest afliictions 
cannot take away. 

I shall not apologize for the serious strain in which I 
write. It is that which is most familiar to my pen, 
"which I believe will best correspond to the feelings of 
your heart. The sentiments of religion which I have 
taken occasion to suggest, cannot be unpleasing io you, 
Keligion I am persuaded, you wish to make the primary 
object of your attention. In the practice of it, I am 
sure, you will find your truest and highest happiness. 
Though its aspect be grave, yet is it not severe. 
Though its laws inculcate sobriety of mind, and of man- 
ners, yet do they not forbid, but rather encourage, 
cheerfulness of temper. It never was intended to make 
our pleasures less ; but on the contrary, to improve, 
exalt, and multiply them. And accordingly, its ways 
will be pronounced by them who travel in them, to be 
"Ways of pleasantness, and they will find all its paths 
peace. Religion is indisputably the highest wisdom, 
the brightest ornament, the richest treasure, of human 
nature. The dear young friend to whom [ write, will, 
I trust, ever reckon ii among the most attractive charms 
of her youth. She will certainly find the best support 
of her age (should life extend so far) of her sweetest 
solace in every season of affliction and sorrow on earth. 

But what language can speak the advantage of it, in a 
27 



210 LETTERS. 

djing hour ? And a dying hour is what we should nev- 
er allow to be long out of view. For even in the sea- 
son of youth, and gaity, of joy and hope, it may not be 
far remote. But when it arrives, then to be able lo 
look back upon a life well spent, carefully redeem- 
ed from the vanities of the unthinking, and the follies 
of the vicious, and devoted to the service of our God 
and Saviour; to the practice of all righteousness and 
goodness ; and to look forward, with that lively animat- 
ing hope, which is founded on an approving conscience, 
of rising beyond the grave, to those joys which are 
unspeakable and full of glory, which shall be the portion 
of the good through eternal ages ; this surely is an hap- 
piness, for the attainment of which, no exertions can be 
too great ; for the want of which, nothing that this 
earth may afford can ever compensate. This is the 
happiness which, with all the ardent affecfion of a 
friend and christian, I wish you to possess. And as it 
is to be secured by religion, and by that alone, no other 
consideration will be necessary to engage you to pur- 
sue it, in this way, with all the care and diligence, which 
so iD)portant an object justly challenges. Only study 
to be good, and you cannot fail to be blest. 

According to my usual practice, when I write to those 
whom I love, I have run my letter considerably beyond 
the limits, which I had at first prescribed to myself. 
But I hope you will not think it tedious. It has all 
flowed from an heart, that feels itself tenderly interested 
in your happiness, and sincerely desirous of contribut- 
ing every thing in my power to promote it. With this 
object in view, I felt too much pleasure in writing, to 
admit of my laying down my pen, so soon as I intended, 
when I took it up. 

ISAAC S. KEITHo 



LETTERS. 211 



TO MR.- 



BATH, (vIRGIXIA) AUGUST 3, 1785. 

Mr dear friend would certain! j blame nie, and very 
justly too, if in my present situation, with my time so 
much at ray own disposal, I should omit a favourable 
opportunity ofdischargingoneofthe kindest offices, that 
can be shewn to an absent friend. I am apprehensive, 
indeed, that you will find it performed in a manner little 
suited to gratify your. feelings and expectations ; but I 
am desirous to offer you something in this way, that 
may serve as a testimony at least of my good will, per- 
suaded that your usual candor, or rather partiality, will 
dispose you to read whatever I write, with all the in- 
dulgence I could reasonably ask, if not with all the pleas- 
ure I would wish to afford. And if my writing may on- 
ly answer the purpose of furnishing you with an inno- 
cent and agreeable amusement for a few moments, I 
shall think the time bestowed upon this, among the best 
employed, and happiest hours, of the sweet leisure 
I now enjoy. 

After an easy and agreeable journey, my fellow trav- 
eller and myself arrived here, through the favour of a 
kind Providence, on the fifth day after leaving Alex- 
andria. The ride itself contributed to the restoration 
of my strength and spirits, even beyond my expecta- 
tions, more especially when we approached towards the 
mountainous country, where every breeze seemed to 
breathe health and cheerfulness ; and my residence 
here, as far as I can judge from the experience I have 
yet had of it, seems likely to prove no less favourable 
to the object of my visit. Independently of the water 
for which this place is chiefly famed, it seems to have 



212 LETTERS, 

been particularly designed by the beneficent Creator, to 
furnish a salutary and plearsing retreat for the infirm and 
the languid, during the sultry heal of summer. It lies 
in a deep narrow vale, formed on the north by a lofty, 
steep and craggy mountain, and by a considerable hill 
on the south* The first of these, besides exhibiting to 
the contemplative mind, a pleasing prospect of nature in 
her rude, untouched magnificence, and 1 fhink not sus- 
ceptible of improvement by the hand of art, serves the 
Taluable purpose of intercepting the morning and even- 
ing rays of the sun, and by theae means of protracting, 
considerably, the coolness of those sweet and refreshing 
hours, which form the beginning and the close of the 
summer day. The town is not yet an object of much 
consideration ; though it is scattered over a pretty 
large extent of ground. The greater part of the hosises, 
Tvhich I conjecture amount in the whole, to between 
one hundred and fifty, and two hundred, are small and 
indifferent, suited merely to the design of a temporary 
residence ; though there are a few of a neat and con« 
venient structure already built, and olhers continually 
rising. The water, which is to be considered as the 
capital object of the place, is indeed the purest, and 
the lightest, f have ever tasted. Besides these excellent 
qualities, it is generally allowed to possess some peculiar 
medicinal virtues, which render it highly salutary in 
many complaints. 

Whether it will eventually have a good effect in my 
own case, I cannot yei determine. What I have drank of 
it has been so far useful, as to promote a good appetite 
and digestion. I have not yet made suflScient trial of 
the bath, to form a judgement whether it will agree 
equally well with my constitution. But to whatever it 



LETTERS. 21 S 

is to be ascribed, whether to the use of the water, or to 
the change of air, or to any other cause, I have certain- 
ly felt myself much better hitherto, than when 1 left 
home ; though I still find that I am not perfectly freed 
from all remains of my former fever. I am not without 
hope, however, that after spending two or three weeks 
more here, I shall return to Alexandria with a greater 
stock of healthy than I have possessed for a twelve 
month past. 

The company collected here is not yet very numer- 
ous, but appears to be daily increasing. The methods 
of spending the time are as various, as the circumstan- 
ces, characters, and dispositions of the people. We 
have balls and plays, and gaming houses, and during 
the last week, sermons almost every day by the metho- 
dists. And upon one or other, upon fewer or more of 
these, the gay, the dissipated, the serious, attend, as 
yanity, pa.-$sion, or conscience happen, to have a deter- 
mining influence. For my own part, as 1 never yet 
found happiness in a crowd, or in the usual occupations, 
either of the busy or the idle, I have chosen to pass 
my time chiefly in retirement. And I felicitate my- 
self that I have it in my power to do so, as I am pro- 
vided with a private room, just targe enough to contain 
a bed and a chair, with the liberty of a comfortable 
parlour, not yet appropriated, and a charming cool 
pii-.zza, fronting the high mountain mentioned above, 
and approaching within a few yards of the fine stream 
of water, flowing from the springs of health, near to 
which the house is situated, and yet remote from 
noise. 

Sweet solitude ! But ah ! one thing is still wanting 
to complete the scene, and give the full relish of it. 



214 LETTERS. 

What that is, your own feelings, will readily suggest, 
when you reflect how cJefeclive are all the advantages 
of situation, and all the other enjoyments of life, with- 
out the society of those, whose souls are united with 
ours, in the tenderest intercourse of friendship and af- 
fection, and whose happiness is dear to us as our own. 
Were I only favoured with the presence of the much 
valued friends whose company I resigned on the road, 
I should think myself as happy, during my transient res- 
idence here, as the state of things in this evil world, 
■will ordinarily admit. But while I cannot but regret, 
that the pleasure and improvement of our personal in- 
tercourse and conversation, are for a time suspended, it 
is some consolation to me, that I can fancy myself still 
present with you in spirit, and sometimes associated 
with you in our approaches to the throne of grace, ad- 
dressing our Heavenly Father, in the name of our dear 
Saviour, for every blessing to each other, as well as to 
ourselves. 

Often, often, my dear friend, do I think of you at 
all hours of the day, and more especially, when wan- 
dering solitary, as fancy leads, in the shady, and de- 
lightfully romantic walks, with which the environs of 
this place abound ; and recollecting with the tenderest 
sympathy, the afflictions and the sorrow under which 
you have been so long depressed, my fervent prayers 
are offered up to the Father of mercies, that as a fa- 
ther pitieth his children, so he may pity you, and help 
you to bear your bodily infirmities, and the troubles of 
your mind, with christian fortitude and patience, till he 
shall see fit to restore you to the full possession of 
your health, and give you the uninterrupted enjoyment 
•f that peace of mind, which passeth all understanding. 



LETTERS. 215 

To the first of these, I hope your retreat in the country 
will £;reatly contribute : And the last of them I know 
you have sometimes experienced already, in a degree 
which I should covet to attain, in preference to all be- 
sides, which can be enjoyed on earth ; for to feel this 
composure, this elevation of soul, is to anticipate the 
rest, and the blessedness of heaven itself. 

O my friend, when I have heard you talk, though 
with all that jealous distrust of yourself, which true hu- 
mility ever inspires, of the love of God shed abroad 
upon your heart, of the aspirations of your soul after 
the fullest conformity, and the nearest approach to the 
adorable Author of your being and redemption ; and of 
the hope which you could not but sometimes entertain, 
of rising to fullness of joy in his glorious presence, I 
could not but wonder, that you should at all, and much 
more so generally, indulge a spirit of dejection and 
mourning. At such season, I could not forbear rejoic* 
ing on your account, though on my own I could feel 
nothing but sensations of shame and self-reproach, un- 
der the conviction of my guilty deficiencies in these 
exercises and attainments. And amid the painful re- 
flections usually excited by every serious and ifnparfial 
investiaation of my o^* n heart, and my conduct, I still 
feel the most cordial satisfaction in the thought, that I 
am warranted to apply to you all the comfort, which 
that expression and affectionate exhortation of St. 
Priiil is intended to convey to the true christian ; " Re- 
joice in the Lord, always, and again I say rejoice." 
Thousrh the power of sin may not yet be entirely sub- 
dued within you, and you may find abundant cause to 
renew the tears of your repentance every day ; yet let 
your heart remain open at the same time to the sensao 



21C LETTERS* 

tions of boly joy, remembering that the God with whom 
yo«j have to do, is merciful and gracious, forgiving the 
iniquity, transgression and sin of every true penitent ; 
and that you have also an Advocate wilh Ihe Fa- 
ther, Jesus Christ, the righteous, who can be touch- 
ed with the feeling of your infirmities, and ever 
lives to make intercession for you ; and will secure 
a divine acceptance for all your good desires and 
faithful services, however feeble and imperfect. 
Should the troubles of the present life, seem to bear 
hard and long upon the flesh, ever tender of itself, and 
averse from suffering of every kind, count it, never- 
theless, ail joy when you are called to endure trials of 
this nature, esteeming them, not according to the sug- 
gestions of sense, but according to the representations 
given of them in the gospel, which teaches you to view 
them as the discipline of a Father's hand, and as com- 
paratively light and but for a moment, while they are 
•working for you a far more exceeding and eternal 
weight of glory. Or should the fear of death, and more 
especially, of the pain of dissolution, begin to spread a 
gloom over your spirits, banish at once every melan- 
choly idea on this subject, and lift up your head and 
your heart with joy, in the persuasion, that your re- 
demption is then drawing nigh ; and that when your 
earthly house of this tabernacle shall dissolve, you 
have then a building of God, an house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens | where mortality, with all 
its attendant evils, shall be swallowed up in everlasting 
life and happiness. Have you not through the abound- 
ing riches of divine grace, and by the great and preciouB 
promises of the gospeU a claim to all these consola- 
tions, in time, and to all these hopes for eternity ? 
Let not then these divine consolations be small with 



LETTERS. £17 

you; let not these animafin^ hopes be rejected. For 
these, and these alone, can efFecfuallj sooth your soul 
inlo svveet serenity, when disquieted within you, and 
raise it in holy triumph, when bowed down under the 
various sorrows of this world of affliction and trial. 

I know to whom 1 write, or I might perhaps think it 
necessary to add some admonitory hints of a different 
tendency, to counsel you to temper yourjoy^ and your 
hopes, with moderation and fear. But lam well aware, 
that you require little cautionary advice of this kind, 
as you are already but too much disposed to write bitter 
things against yourself, and to cherish distressing doubts 
and apprehensions, when you have the best ground to 
say, " r know in whom I have believed ;'* and in whom, 
believing, you should rejoice, with joy unspeakable, and 
full of glory. On this account I esteem it my duty, 
as much as it is my inclination, to use my best endeav- 
ours to be an helper of your JDy. And though I should 
be able to do nothing more toward the accomplishment 
of so friendly a design, than merely to express the de- 
sire of my heart, and shew my good will ; perhaps even 
this, as it affords some little satisfaction to my own 
mind, may have some favourable influence aI«o upon 
yours. I shall not however be at all disappointed, if 
I should appear to you, like the friends of Job, in the 
days of his distress, a miserable comforter, as unsuc- 
cessful, as I am unskilled, in the business I am so for- 
ward to attempt. Conscious'of my own defective talents 
for executing properly, this tenderest office of friend- 
ship, I commend you to the affection and experience 
of one much better qualified for it, and at the same 
time, possessed of the peculiar advantages and opportM- 

nitiesy arising from that most intimate and dear relation 
28 



218 LETTERS. 

in which he is conned ed with you ; and my prayer* 
shall not cease to be otfered up for you, to Him who 
alone is able effectnally to establish, strengthen, and 
comfort yon. 

This I suppose will find you still in the country, as 
that is undoubtedly the situation most favourable to the 
recovery of your health. All I fear is, that ^ou will 
feel yaurself rather too solitary there, unless you are 
on a footing of agreeable intimacy with the good fauoily 
in which yon reside. I persuade myself that you will 
find them social and friendly, and disposed to contrib- 
ute every thing in their power, to your comfort and hap- 
piness. If so, they have my blessing, if that will avail 
any thing, for my heart blesses every body that shews 
you any kindness. Have you the society of eiiher of 
your dear little children ? Your maternal feejings, the 
tenderest and most exquisite of which the human heart 
is susceptible, will not readily consent to forego the en- 
tertaining prattle and play of the one, and the still more 
sweetly engaging smiles, of the other. But if circum- 
stances require you to deny yourself for a short season, 
in these most innocent and delightful of all social pleas- 
ures, comfort yourself, in the mean time, that you are 
using the means for prolonging them ; and that a tempo- 
rary suspension of enjoyment, gives it a higher value 
and relish when restored. I feel the force of this con- 
sideration myself, at the present moment. What I 
now most want, is the society I most value. But the 
prospect of enjoying it ere lonsf, with increased pleas- 
ure, reconciles me to the most disagreeable circumstance 
of my present situation, or at least helps me to bear it 
without repining. I cannot yet name the time of my 
return ; but whether absent or present, be assured that 



LETTERS. 219 

jour inferesfs lie very near my heart ; and that you, 
and all who are dear fo j^ou, will be happy bolh now 
and forever, if kind Heaven favours the warmest wishes 
of your very sincere and affectionale friend. 

ISAAC S. KEITH, 



TO REV. DR. S. 

[the first letter written after his settlement in 
charleston 3 

charleston, april 18, 1789, 
REV. AND DEAR SIR, 

ijr the return of the sane conveyance which brought 
nie your very acreptabie favour of the lOfh of Dec. 
last, 1 wrote to one of your family, and desired my cor- 
dial thanks for it, to be presented to you. Particular 
circumstances prevented me from gratifying my wishes, 
in writing to yourself at that time. I rely on your well 
known benevolence, and long experienced friendship, 
to excuse the omission, and with pleasure, improve the 
present opportunity for returning you in this way, my 
best acknowledgements for your much valued letter, 
and for all the instances and expressions of your kind 
and friendly regards, with which you have honored me. 
The generous interest which your worthy family, To- 
gether with yourself, take in my concerns, and the 
pleasure which you feel in what contributes to my hap- 
piness, afford me a very peculiar satisfaction. For 
such testimonies of the affectionate remembrance of me, 
by persons whose favourable opinion and good will, is 
so highly flattering and pleasing to me, what adequate 
returns can I make ? They will be recollected with the 



22(^ LETTERS. 

liveliesf gratitude ; and as my heart has long cherished 
the sentiments and feelings of a sincere esteem, and 
cordial friendship for jou, and can never forget the 
many improving and happy hours, which 1 have enjoy- 
ed among you ; so it will, 1 ihink, never cease to feel 
itself very tenderly interested in your welfare, and fer- 
vently to pray, that the bounliful Author of all good, 
may suitably and abundantly reward all ^"our kindness 
shewn to me, and make you all happy in every blessing 
of his providence and grace. 

Your excellent hints of advice, are worthy of your 
character, your a2;e and experience ; and I hope they 
will be remembered by me for the government of my con- 
duct, with the respect and reverence due to the coun- 
sels of piety and wisdom ; and with the regards due to 
the dictates of an affection tvuly paternal. 

I feel the weight of the charge which I have under- 
lal^en here ; and under a consciousness of my unworthi- 
ness of the trui^t committed to me, and unfitness for the 
work in which I am employed, I find sufficient cause for 
humiliation, and many apprehensions. But I de-ire to have 
my dependence still placed, and fixed, on that grace, 
which I know is sufficient for me, and on that strength, 
"which can be made perfect in the greatest human weak- 
ness. It is to me a very comfortable circumstance of 
my situation here, that the benevolent and friendly dis- 
position of the people, whom I am called to serve in the 
gospel, inclines them, to receive such services as I am 
able to render them, with all the candor and indulgence, 
which I could reasonably wish or expect. May that 
candor and indulgence, and all their kind, and respect- 
ful attentions to their ministers, be graciously recompens- 
ed, and made mutually blessed, in the abundant success 



LETTERS. 221 

of our labours ; and through grace, T cannot but en- 
courage the hope, that we shall not 1, hour altogether in 
vain. Serious impressions of religion appear to be some- 
times made, under the ministrations of the word, upon 
many of our hearers, and particularly upon the poor 
sons of x4.fricaand slavery. Several individuals, both 
white and black, have been lately added to the commun- 
ion of our church. 

An increasing acquaintance with the congregation, 
contributes to make me more and more sensible of the 
obligations which I am under to you and Dr. Duffi^ld, 
for your friendly agency in introducing me to the con- 
nexion in which I am now united with a people, liom 
whose religious character, friendly dispositions, and pol- 
ished manners, the pastoral relation naturally becomes 
as pleasing and delighifid, as it is in itself important and 
interesting. It remains for me only to wish that I may 
never dishonor the partiality' of the worthy friends to 
whom I am so much indebted. My worthy colIea2;ue, 
your friends, I believe, in general here, together with 
myself, are in usual health. Present my best regards 
and wishes to Mr. S. and all the family. With great es- 
teem and affection, I am your, and their ob iged friend. 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



TO REV. DR. G. 

CHARLESTON, APBIL 20, 179G. 
REV, AND DEAR SIR, 

Mas not the poet elegantly and em- 
phatically expressed it ? "Procrastination is the thief 
of time." And the truth of the expression, whose expe- 
rience has not in^a thousand instances confirmed? 



222 LETTERS. 

As for myself, T feel it every week, in the loss of almost 
days ; and every day, in the loss of hours, stolen from 
me by the habit of deferrina; something, that claims an 
immediate attention, and might be done at the present 
time, to a more convenient season. Many of these things 
will, of course, be left undone ; and many of them, which 
cannot be finally and totally neglected, will be done 
in a manner in which they ought not to be done. The 
review of such delays, and of their consequences, has 
seldom failed to awaken regret. I wish I were not 
obliged to add, and has almost as seldom served to pro- 
mote amendment. 

These reflections have been renewed in my mind, 
and naturally led my pen to begin this letter in the man- 
ner which you see, by the circumstance of reading over 
again, what I had several times read before, your val- 
ued letter of the 26th of February, ult. 

•75* TV* ^ VT "A* "TV* TV* VV* "TV* 

I sincerely thank you for your letter, and all that it 
contains. The expressions of your friendly regards 
for me, are very pleasing, as I cannot but think it par- 
ticularly desirable to possess the esteem of those who 
themselves deserve it. And the assurance which it 
gives of your disposition, to maintain the correspondence 
begun, is not less acceptable to me ; as it promises me 
much pleasure and improvement. 

You have also my best acknowledgements for the copy 
ol your sermon, which accompanied your letter. The 
occasion on which it was delivered, was iru\y solemn, 
and to every reflecting and well disposed mind, deeply 
interesting and affecting. 

Dr. Duffield's death will be felt much more exten- 
sively, than by his own congregation; and especially 
in your church judicatories, of which he was a well in- 



LETTERS. 223 

formed, indusfrioiis, zealous, and useful member. It rs 
re2;retfed by many of our church here, by whom he was 
personally known, and highly esteemed. The abridge- 
riient of his character, as it appeared in your papers, 
was transferred info ours ; and by some good jtids^es of 
the truth, as well as of the style, I have heard it pro- 
nounced justly and elegantly drawn. 

With respect to the measure which you recom- 
mend, that some communications relative to our pro- 
fessional character and business, should have a place in 
our letters, my sentiments entirely coincide with your 
own. Communications of this kind, made in this way, 
are certainly peculiarly adapted to be useful, to the 
parties concerned in the correspondence. And if m 
this case, F shordd be the only gainer, as I certainly 
shall be chiefly so, in regard to instruction and improve- 
ment received, F hope that notwithstanding, you will 
not hesitate freely to impart ; as the advantage in anoth- 
er point of view, will be no less in your favour ; since 
according: to the maxim of the Divine Author of our re- 
ligion, " It is more blessed to give, than to receive." 

The sample which j^ou have already given of the meas- 
ure which you have recommended, is on a very impor- 
tant point. All that you have said upon it is, I think, 
perfectly j^ist ; and is far from appearing in my view too 
much. If you have any more observations, as you seem 
to intimate that you have, to offer uponit, I shall receive 
them with pleasure, and I trust not without some profit. 
Of the two different methods of preaching, the ab- 
stracted and the theoretical ; the plain and practical ; I 
think with you, that on every account, and with respect 
to all de<5 criptions of hearers, the preference is uncjues- 
lionably to be given to the latter. For the reasons 



224 LETTERS. 

which you have suggested in the case of all preachers ; 
and in raj own case for another reason, which if not so 
good an one, must at least be allowed to be a weighty 
one with o)e ; I mean, because I am conscious that if I 
possess anj talent for preaching, it is not that of treat- 
ing a subject en ihesi. But if I thought I could do 
much more and better, than I know I am able to do in 
that way, I certainly would not with my present senti- 
ments of its utility, attempt it much more than I have 
done. The Utile, indeed, ought never, I believe, to 
be connected with th-e idea of such preaching ; and as 
to- the Dulci, I think it can make no pretensions to it. 
To me it conveys the idea of a laborious waste of study, 
and time to tjbe preacher ; and of the still more de- 
plorable loss of almost precious and inestimable season 
to the hearers. Under this impression, I aim only at 
the plain and practical method in my sermons ; but 
with what propriety or success, must be left with those 
who hear them, to judge. 

What is the usual length of your discourses ? Mine 
very seldom extend to three quarters of an hour, and 
most commonly fall short of forty minutes. I never 
heard that they were too short ; but have sometimes 
had hints, that they would not have been less accepta- 
ble, if they had been shorter. But the length of a ser- 
mon I know, is not always measured by time ; so that 
the time which would appear long for one of mine, 
might appear very short for that of another person, 
Newton, whose character for good sense, and accurate 
observation, is not inferior to that, by which he h dis* 
tinguished for his piety, in one of his letters, under the 
title of Cardiphonia, unites his own, with the prevail- 
ing voice, against long sermons ; but allows an hour to 



LETTERS. 225 

be a tolerable lens^th in ordinary cases. To a brother 
clergyman, who sometimes held out io two hours, he 
observes, that when weariness begins^, edification ends ; 
and that, therefore, " it is better to feed the ptople like 
chickens, a little at a time and often ; than to cram 
them like turkeys, fill they cannot hold one gobbet 
more." 

He is also, I find, a friend to extempore preaching, 
as a mode more favourable to familiar language, and to 
gain the attention of the people, than writing and read- 
ing. Memoriter preaching will, I presume, answer the 
latter purpose, as well as the extempore kind ; and in 
almost all other respects, seems to have greatly the ad- 
vantage of it. Bat whatever may be the recommenda- 
tion of extempore preaching, I cannot think of practis- 
ing it ; and among other reasons against it, because to 
me it appears to be impracticable, partly perhaps for 
want of courage, and partly, and chiefly, for want of a 
suflScient fund of ideas, and a ready command of lan- 
guage, to express those that might present themselves. 
I have indeed often heard it attempted by those who 
were not over-rich in either ; but the success did not 
speak much in favour of the attempt. Do you ever 
make any extemporaneous excursions beyond the lines 
which your pen had previously marked out ? In the 
few essays that I have ever made in this way, 1 have 
always fared just as I have done in all my endeavours 
to learn to swim ; I have immediately sunk, and eager- 
Ij hastened back to the ground which I had (eft. 

If I should add much more to this letter, I fear you 

will be led, froin the citation from Cardiphonia in the 

last page, to conclude, that \ consider, and mean to 

Ireat you, like one of Newton's turkeys. Yet^ if other 
29 



226 LETTERS. 

letters, and oilier engagements, did not demand a share 
of my present attention, I should still write on, per- 
haps to the bottom of the next page. And even as 
things are, this will probably be the case. 

</, ^- O/- -V- "Si •5/. -if- -V- ■^Jf- 

The redemption of lime is one of the most valuable 
Christian arts, hut one in which 1 feel myself extreme- 
ly un^^killed. And surely ihere is no deficiencv more 
to be regretted, or that can be more detrimental, as i^s 
injurious consequences reach, not only through all the 
stages of the present life, but through all the periods of 
a future immortality. 

Can you tell me how io guard more effectually asrainst 
(he danger of being robbed, as I am every day, of some 
everlasting treasure, which unghi be laid up by some 
good done, that is omitted ? But I am sensible that 
it is r\oi information that I most need on this subject. 
For in this, as in iimumerable other instances, 

** T see the right, and t appi'eve \t too ; 
Condemn the wrong, and jet the wrong pursue." 

And so it will be, till I am more careful to avail myself 
of that grace, which is sufficient for me, and of that 
strength which can be made perfect in my weakness. 
You find no doubt, as well as myself, that am.ong a nu- 
merous people much time must be devoted, or if you 
like the expression better, sacrificed, io visits : for 
many of them will be of such a nature, as to be recol- 
lected only for the awakening of the mortifying and 
painful reflection, how much better might the time have 
been employed ! Yet if we possessed, as we ought io 
do, the prudence of the serpent, united with the inno- 
cence of the dove, and the courage becoming the soldiers 



r 



LETTERS. 



227 



ef Jesus Chrisf, we might improve even the vhiis 
which must be made, as well as those which we would 
choose to make, to the purposes of acquiring knowledge 
ourselves, more useful than any which books can sup- 
ply, and of suggesting and recomweiidhig lo oihers, 
more profitable instruciion, ihan anj which we can 
communicate incur ptjSiiic discourses. It is well worth 
while to study how we may properly preach from house 
to house ; for it may be made the most practical, and 
ha^ often proved the most persuasive, kind of preaching. 

Our wortiiy friend Mr. B. was lately chosen a mem- 
ber of the Con entjon, for new modellinsj (he constitu- 
tiou of this state ; to meet the beginning of next month. 

With a^ectiouare regards to Mrs. G. I am, with great 
sincerity and respect, yours, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



TO MRS. K. 

CHARLESTON, AUGUST 27, 1791. 

MY DEAR WIFE, 

1 HIS is intended to go in the schoon- 
er Friendship, Capt. W. Before it can reach Phila- 
delphia, I hope you will be safely landed there, and re- 
joicing with our friends in the goodness and mercy of 
the Lord, to whom you have cried for counsel, protec- 
tion, help, and all needful grace ; and who performetb 
all things for you and me, and all who have ever sought 
him as their God, and have thought it good for them, 
that they should both hope, and quietly wait for the 
salvation of the Lord. 

When you left Charleston, I think you were enabled 
to possess a composure of mind, which was far beyond 



228 LETTERS. 

any thing that could be attained by the best efforts of 
yo(ir feeble litnid nature. In my view, it was such as 
coulil result only from that faith, which is the gift of 
God ; and which is the evidence of thina;* not seen, and 
the substance of things hoped for. Wish you, 1 felt 
disposed to believe, that as you had committed your 
way to the Lord, trustina; also in him, that he would 
bring it to pass; so he would accordmgly be with )ou 
in the way in which you were going^, and conduct you 
to your father's house in peace ;* and thus remember 
to you the word upon which he had caused you tohope, 
and gi\e you the desire of your heart in a comfortable 
meeting with the dear family, and other valued friends, 
from whom yon had been so long separated, and whom 
you were so solicitous to see. 

It will be very pleasing to me to hear, that our ex- 
pectations have not been disappointed ; and that you 
have again found, that the already tried promises, i^re 
the sure promises of everlasting truth, and all yea, and 
amen in Christ. And surely, by the first opportuni- 
ty you will inform me of your arrival, and of ma»*y par- 
ticfdars of your voyage, and your reception in Phila- 
delphia ; so that in the renewed mercies, which you 
have experienced, I may rejoice with you, and that, 
distant as we now are from each other, I may, notwith- 
standing, magnify the Lord with yon, and togelher with 
you exalt his name. In this most reasonable and de- 
lightful service, I hope in due season, to join with you 
in a more literal sense, and a more comfortable manner, 
than our present circumstances will permit. 

While our thanksgivings are offered up together for 
mercies already experienced, let us not forget or ne- 

* Gen. xxviii. 20. 



LETTERS. 229 

gleet to be found helping together, by prajer for each 
oUier, that we may be favoured with that Divine pro- 
tection and guidance, support and comfort, and various 
grace which we still need during our separation ; and 
which indeed will be always equallj necessary to us, 
throiigh the journey of life, whether we are travelling 
in ii alon-, or in company. 

A fellow uavelier in this journey, whose sentiments, 
Tiews, affections, and every inierest, so unite and accord 
with one*s own, as to become in reality the same, is (ru- 
ly a most desirable blessing ; and a blessing which has 
ceitainly laid me under many obligations, most thank- 
fully to acknowledge the wise and tender care and 
mercy of tiie Lord, who has provided such an 
helpmeet for me. Of the advantages and coaiforts of 
Bucb a connexion, the nearest and the tenderest in life, 
neither of us, bave, I believe, been insensible. Yet as 
we often best learn the value of our enjoyments, when 
we are deprived of them, perhaps the temporary sus- 
pension of some of ours in the present instance, may 
serve to promote among other good purposes, a temper 
of thoughlfulness to ttie blessed Author of every good 
and perfect gift, who bestows, withdraws, and restores 
the co'nforts of life at his pleasure ; and to excite us to 
improve them, when they are again returned, more to 
his praise. 

Ever since you crossed the bar, the wind has been 
as favourable for your voyage, as your heart or mine 
could wish. If it has been so with yon, the goodness 
and mercy of the Lord have surely followed you on the 
wings of the wind. And if it has been so ordered, 
may not this circumslance be justly regarded as an 
answer to prayer, and a part of the reward of a patient 



230 LETTERS, 

waiting upon the Lord ; and what (ben can be more 
reasonable, than the most cheerful, affectionaJe, and fer- 
vent retums of praise to Him, who commandeth the 
winds and the seas, and they obey him ? Could you 
have expected such a long epistle so shortly after your 
sailing. I have felt a particular pleasure and consola- 
tion in talking; to you, though onI_y on paper, and while 
you were flying from me a thousand times faster than 
my pen could move towards you. Give my tender lo\e 
to our dear parents, and affectionate remeuibiance to ail 
inquiring friends. 

I comrnend ycu to God, and vtie word of his grace. I 
know I shall not be forgotten iii the faujily, and part c- 
ularly by ray dearest friend ; and you may rest assur- 
ed of your retaining all the interest you can wish to hold, 
in the heart of your alfectionate 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



i¥^i 



TO THOMAS BENNETT, ESQ. JOHn's ISLAND, 
ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD. 

With you, my dear Sir, with all the family, and es- 
pecially the bereaved parents, we sincerelj' sympa- 
thize under the painful stroke of a Father's hand, 
which has called so many to mourn. But blessed be 
his name, for the encouragement given in his gospel, 
that in this case, we are not called to ** sorrow, as those 
who have no hope ;" but rather to comfort our own and 
each other's hearts with the words of Jesus, who gath- 
ers the lanbs in his arms, and carries them in his bo- 
som ; and by the solemn voice of death, as well as in 
the tender language of the covenant of his grace, in the 



LETTERS. £31 

ordinance of baptism, says, <« Suffer the liflle children, 
and forbid them not to coiiie unto me, for of such is the 
kingdom of heaven," 

Is this lovely and promi-^in^, and lately beloved and 
endeared babe, now with her and our Lord in his heav- 
enly kingdom ? She must there be happy ; happy for- 
ever, and unspeakably more happy, than the affection- 
ate hearts of her fondest connexions on earth, can con- 
ceive. Let them not then weep inconsolably for her : 
but let them humbly and quietly submit, to the holy 
hand that has so soon smitten their pleasant and flour- 
ishing jEcround, in which ihey took so much delight, and 
from which they promised themselves, probably much 
more, than the creature is permitted 'o give. Consol- 
ed with the consideration, that the idolized creature is 
so early removed from the evil to come, let all who 
feel and lament the disappointment of their fond wishes 
and hopes for this world, under this bereaving Provi- 
dence, DOW awaken their solicitude, and offer up their 
earnest prayers, that it may be divinely sanctified to 
work for their good, in the promotion of their spiritual 
interests, and everlasfina; happiness. The most pain- 
ful loss, of creature and mortal comforts, will be pro- 
ductive of the richest gain to the soul, which by such 
means is constrained to resort to, and to rest in, the 
Lord, the Creator and Redeemer, as its refuge and por- 
tion, in the land of the living. To this most desirable 
and important purpose, may this affecting event, be 
blessed to all concerned in it ! And may the God of 
all grace, prepare and open the hearts of all who are 
again called by it into the house of mourning, to receive 
tho'ie consolations of God, which are not small, and 
which, to sincere believers^ and humble mourners^ are 



232 LETTERS. 

made to abound through Christ Jesus, as their sorrows 
have abounded ! 

In sympathizing regards^ and prayers for the family, 
Mrs. K. joins with your sincere friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



TO REV. DR. SPROAT. 

CHARLESTON, AUGUST 17, 179S. 

REV. AND DEAR FATHER, 

On Sabbath evenina;, the 11 th 
in<!t. Capt. S. handed ns your kind letier of the 29th of 
July. In your present afflicted staie, we esteemed it 
a particular kindness and favour,jhal yon should wr'te 
to us again so soon after your letter, with which we 
were favoured by Capt. S. For that fa\our, Mrs. K. 
has returned by Capt. S. our thankful acknowledge- 
ments, with affectionate expressions of tender syu^pa- 
thy with our dear parents, under their afflictions, and of 
ou'* desire and hope that they may be removed, or alle- 
viated, as may seem best to the wisdom of God. It is 
with much satisfaction that we learn by your last let- 
ter, that your pains were considerably abated ; and that 
our mother's complaint, ihous^h it continued, was not 
worse. Your co/np!aints respecively, may be trou- 
blesome, and your own in particular, may be often dis- 
tres'^ins; ; but in my view they do not appear to be very 
threatening to the hope which we are disposed to cher- 
ish, that you may both of you be mercifully spared fop 
years to come, for the great con)fort and benefit of your 
family and friends, and of the church of Christ. In 
the mean time, if it vshould please the only wise God, to 
confi.Mf^ his afflicting hand »ipon you, I doubt not but 
that he will ^ive you the sanctified use of your afflic- 



LETTERS. 



^33 



{ions, by blessing them to the purposes of making you 
partakers, more and more, ol his holiness on earth, and 
of promoting your growing meefness for that eternal rest 
and fulness of joy, which, 1 believe, await you in his 
presen-ce in heaven ; and thai he wili also grant you (he 
comfortable evidences of his gracious presence with 
you, through all the remainder of that right way, in 
which he is conducting you to the city of habitation, 
preparei-for you ; and eniibls you to continue to pos- 
sess your souls in patience and peace, believing, hoping, 
and often rejoicing, in his promises, by which he assures 
his people of strength according to their day; that he 
will never leave nor forsake them ; that all things shall 
work together for their good ; that no temptation shall 
overtake them, but what they shall be enabled to bear ; 
and that through all their tribulations and sufferings, 
they shall be kept by his power through faith unto sal- 
vation. Such is our comfortable hope concerning you, 
and correspondent to this are our prayers for you. 
And we desire to be thankful, that, while in all your 
afflictions we are afflicted, we are also comforted with 
the persuasion, that to you, belong all those consola- 
tions of God, which are not small : that the Lord God 
is now your hope, who has been your trust from your 
youth up: that now when you are old, your God will 
not forsake you ; and that under all your weaknesses 
and infirmities, you will be enabled to go on in the 
strength of your Redeemer, making mention of his 
righteousness, even of his only, declaring the wonder* 
of his grace ; rejoicing with thankful praise in his salva- 
tion ; and quietly waiting, with a cheering hope, for 
your removal to that desirable state in which all the 

redeemed of the Lord shall meet together, with songs 
30 



234 LETTERS* 

and everlasting joy upon their heads ; and where thej 
shall obtain joy and gladness, sorrow and sighing 
shall flee away. O how happy are the people that are 
in such a case, and that have such a joy in prospect I 
Happy indeed are such, whatever they may now be 
called to suffer in the flesh ; for all their present suf- 
feringSjare only light afflictions, and but for a monientj 
compared with the far more exceeding, and eternal 
weight of glory, which they are working out for them. 
Pray my dear parents, that together with yourselves, 
the unworthy writer of this may, through grace, have 
Lis share in this happiness ! In afflictions of different 
kinds, I have had, for my time of life, a considerable 
share ; and 1 have sometimes thought that it was indeed 
good for me that I have been afflicted. But if they 
have been really beneficial, so transient have been the 
good effects of them, or the impressions which my heart 
has retained, of the cause for which they were sent, and 
of the useful purposes which they were intended and 
fitted to serve, that it has been hitherto necessary, 
that the same discipline should be frequently used, to 
teach me again the same forgotten lessons of wisdom 
and piety. And if God has any designs of final mercy 
and love to accomplish in and for me, I have reason to 
expect, on the same principles, that, should life be spared, 
many afflictions still await me. May the sanctifying 
blessings of God, only attend the dispensations of bis 
providence ! and then all, will be not only right in it- 
self, but well with respect to us. And could we be al- 
ways satisfactorily persuaded of this, we should then 
find little difficulty in saying, concerning God's deal- 
ings with us ; « Lord, what thou wilt ; bow thou wilt ; 
tnd when thou wilt ?'* But to this purpose, I find great 



LETTERS^ 235 

reason for daily renewing that important petition, 
^^ Lord, help thou my unbelief, and increase my faith.'* 

ISAAC S. KEITH? 



TO MISS O. SPROAT, 

AFTER THE DEATH OF HER FATHER, AND OTHERS OF THE 
FAMILY, OF THE YELLOW FEVER. 

CHARLESTON, DECEMBER 2, 179§. 
MY VERF DEAR SISTER, 

JL OUR sad story of many and 
great sorrows, though not altogether sad, as it con- 
tained some rich and strong consolations, was convey- 
ed to us by the hand of a good Providence, in the course 
of the past week. 

All the afflictive news which it repeated, we had 
heard about three or four weeks before, with some ad- 
ditions afterwards, for which we have the satisfaction 
now to learn, that there was no foundation. During 
the interval between the time when the intelligence 
was first communicated to us, and the receipt of youi? 
kind letter, we were waiting, not without some anxiety^ 
though, I trust, at the same time, with some degree of 
quiet submission, for more particular information, *i7hich 
•we hoped would be of such a nature as to minister 
some desirable comfort, under the pressure of our heavy 
and sore troubles ; and, thanks be to a merciful and gra- 
cious God, we have not been disappointed. 

All these painful bereaving strokes of the hand of a 
most wise and holy God, I feel, with my poor deac 
wife, with you my dear afflicted sister^ and with oflT 



23 LETTERS. 

dear widowed mother, and all the surviving members 
of onr now distressed family ; I feel them, as in every re- 
spect mj own ; and with all the others who suffer un- 
der them, 1 take all the tender afflictive share in them, 
that the obduracy, and stupidity of my heart will ad- 
mit. Dear N. she was to me a very lovely and pleas- 
ant sister. Our worthy brother W. He was my kind and 
faithful friend, for whom my heart cherished a sincere 
and growing esteem and affection ; and his dear M. 
though not personally known to me, was affectionately 
Regarded as she was united with hiui in the nearest and 
tenderest of all mortal ties. And O, mj father I"^ He 
was entitled to, and he Jiad from me, all the veneration 
and love, with which I was capable of honoring any per- 
son on earth, under that important name, and in that in- 
teresiing relation. Concerning them all, I can truly 
say, that they were not less, if not more, endeared to 
me, than my father, or any of my brothers or sistei^s of 
my own flesh and blood, from whom I was separated, 
at an early period of life, and with whom I have never 
since been permitted io enjoy much personal inter- 
course. So that as far as my nature is capable of feel- 
ing, you may be assured, that I enter into all the pres- 
ent feelings of my dear, excellent mother,f and of all 
her remaining children, my dear sisters and brothers, 
as well as those of my own wife, my other self, under 
the heavy load of affliction which it has pleased God to 
lay upon our poor family. With you, my dear O, who 
have been called to act so arduous a part, in the try- 
ing, awful scene, through which you have been so won- 

* Dr. Sproat. 

f She was dead when this letter was written, though it was not knowa 
to Dr. and Mrs. K. 



LETTERS. 23r 

derfully condncfed, by the good hand of your God up- 
on you ; and with all the rest of the family, who have 
nor jer been swept away with the flood of death. I 
feel that in the interesting, tender names, of father, 
brother, and sister, the desiie of our eves, has been 
taken away with a stroke ! But it is the Lord, who has 
the most absolute and unquestionable right to do unto 
all of us, as seemeth unto him good, who has done this ; 
and it becomes us all to be dumb, and not to open our 
mouths in a single complaint, or to indulge in our hearts 
a single murmuring thought, against the dispensation. 
" He is a rock, his work is perfect ; for all his ways 
are judgment ; a God of truth and without iniquity, 
just and right is he." Behold he taketh away, and who 
can hinder him ? Who will say unto him, what doest 
thou ? Though clouds and darkness may be round 
about him ; righteousness and judgment are the habita- 
tion of his throne. And as he reigns, and will forever 
reign, and his counsel shall stand, and he will do all his 
pleasure, and will always do that which is right, and 
can never do any wrong to any of his creatures ; it be- 
comes us to rejoice in his government, to be humbly 
resigned to his disposal, and to be entirely satisfied, 
that all the will of the Lord should be done. For quiet 
submission, and sweet acquiescence in his will, we 
have, as appears by your letter, every reason and mo* 
tive that we could well desire, under our present trial ; 
which, while it constrains us to weep, reminds us at the 
same time, that we ought not to sorrow as those who 
have no hope ; since our dear departed friends, at their 
death, have left us such comfortable ground for hoping, 
that they have fallen asleep in Jesus, and are now at rest 
with him. And in such circumstances it becomes us, 



238 LETTERS. 

not only to weep as though we wept not, but to be sat- 
isfied and thankful ; persuaded that these events which 
may appear to be most against us, may be easily made, 
and certainly are adapted, to work for us. Indeed, if 
we are in the bonds of that everlasting covenant, which 
our God has made with his people through his beloved 
Son, by whose blood it is sealed and established, and 
which in all things is so ordered, and so sure, that it is 
sufficient to be all our salvation and all our desire ; we 
may then rest assured, that all things shall infallibly 
work together for our good. One special good effect, 
among others, which this very afflictive dispensation of 
Providence should produce upon all of us who suffer 
under it, is to withdraw the heart from its dependence 
upon the creatures, and to engage the soul to seek its rest 
and happiness in the Creator alone, who is the same 
yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Happy in their 
consequences will be those strokes of death, which have 
smitten the delights of our eyes, and the joys of our 
hearts, if they be only sanctified, (for which we ought 
fervently to pray) thus to lead us to choose the Lord 
alone for our portion, and to rejoice in him, as the God 
of our salvation, in whose favour alone our life can be 
found, and from whose love in Christ Jesus our Lord, 
his people shall never be separated, neither by life, nor 
by death, by things present, nor by things to come. 
Let our great care then be to secure, and to keep 
bright and clear, the evidences of our interest in his fa- 
vour, and to approve ourselves to him in the right and 
acceptable improvement of his dealings with us ; and in 
the way of obedience and submission to his will, trust- 
ing in the righteousness and merits of our all sufficient 
Saviour, let as wait upon him for his consolations^ 



LETTERS. 23f 

which are not small, and which then he will not fail to 
grant us in the measure which he sees will be best for 
us. If we continue submitting ourselves to him, and 
looking and praying to him> he will in his own time, 
bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and in his 
own way make the light afflictions of this life, which are 
but for a season, work for us a far more exceeding, and 
eternal weight of glory. Considering these things, 
and remembering that we are strangers and sojourners 
on earth, whose time of continuance here is short and 
most uncertain, let us moderate our grief for the loss 
which we feel from the removal of those who were so 
Taluable and dear to us ; and let it be our principal 
concern, to be followers of our departed clristian 
friends, and of all others, who through faith and pa- 
tience are gone to inherit the promises ; so that with 
them we may, in due season, meet in that better world, 
where pious friends, shall, without any fear of a separa- 
tion, dwell together for ever with their Lord ; and mor- 
tality, with all its evils, shall be swallowed up in ever- 
lasting life and joy. 

I desire to be thankful, my dear sister, for the sup- 
ports and consolations, which you, and my dear wife, 
and I trust, others of the family, have experienced un- 
der this heavy and distressing trial. And we shall, I 
persuade myself, continue mutually to remember our 
obligations to pray for each other» that as we are par- 
takers of the same afflictions, we may also be partakers 
of all seasonable and needful support and comfort, and 
find, that, as our day is, so is our strength ; and that 
the grace of our Redeemer may be found sufficient for 
us, to enable us to do and suffer the will of God, with 
a truly christian temper, to his praise, to the benefit of 



245 LETTERS. 

others, and (o the furtherance of our own salvation ! 
M-dy^ the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father 
of zjjercies, the God of all comfort, who comforteth his 
people in all their tribulations, be the widow's God, and 
the Father of all her fatherless children, and make his 
consolations abound to all of us, as our sorrows abound 
in this vale of tears. And as we shall successively' be 
called hence, may we, by his grace, be prepared for the 
time of our departure, so that when we are dismissed from 
the body, we may be admitted to dwell for ever in the 
presence of our Lord ; receive the crown of righteous- 
ness, and enjoy that eternal life which he has promised 
to all his humble faithful followers. 

Th>it God may be with you, and bless you, and all 
the dear afflicted family, is the sincere prayer of your 
affectionate, sympathizing friend and brother, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



TO REV. DR. G. 

CHARLESTON, MARCH 1794. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

Your very valuable pactet, by Capt. 
G. was received on the third of this month : together 
with a letter, by the same conveyance, from our dear 
sister S. In what temper of mind these truly accepta- 
ble favours found us, and how they affected us, Solo- 
mon has described much better than I could, when he 
says, " Hope deferred, makelh the heart sick : but 
when the desire comet h, it is a tree of life," Nearly 
three months had passed, since the date of our last in- 



.LlETTERS. 241 

leliigence from our friends in Philadelphia. During a 
great proportion of thaf time, we had been looking oiit^ 
i fear with some measure of anxiety and impatience, for 
fresh information ; and not without the painful appre- 
hension, from the tener of our last accounts, that the 
next might be in some respect orolher, again affiictive. 
What thanks do we owe to our good God, who has so 
kindly disappointed our fears, and exceeded our hopes, 
in permitting us once more to hear good tidings, of the 
health and welfare of yourself and family, and of the re- 
maining members of our own poor family, who had escap- 
ed alive from the jaws of the devouring grave, which has 
swallowed up so many of our best arsd dearest friends, 
among the multitudes of your mourning city, whom 
death has carried away with the desolating violence of 
a wide spreading flood ! After all the messages of pain 
imd sorrow, which for many months past we have been 
accustomed to receive and expect from poor Philadel- 
phia, to hear that God had stayed his hand in the way 
of judgement, and seemed to have returned in the ex- 
ercise of mercy, to our surviving friends and connex- 
ions, was welcome news indeed, and a most desirable 
cordial to our heaits. Bless«d be the Lord, and wifh 
new and everlasting thanksgivings and praises, be his 
name exalted, %vho is merciful and gracious, and will 
not always chide, nor keep hi« anger for ever ; but 
though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion ac- 
cording to the multitude of his mercies, and make his 
isufFering servants glad, according to the days wherein 
he has afflicted them 1 

Concerning the sermon ;* perhaps Mrs. K. and my- 
self, are too deeply and tenderly interested, in the sol- 

* The funeral sermon on the death of Dr. Sproat; 
31 



242 LETTERS* 

emn and affecting occasion of it, to form an impartial 
judgement of the merit of the performance. To us it 
appears to be an excellent discourse, such as might be 
expected from the superior talents of its iugenions au- 
thor, judiciously adapted to the peculiar circumstances 
in which it was deli^ ered, and furnishing a just, honor- 
able, and instructive testimony to the piety and worth 
of the dear departed friends, whose characters it par- 
ticularly displays ; and in a manner which tends to give 
all the glory of what they were, to the distinguishing 
grace of God, and persuasiieiy to invite others to be-^ 
come followers of them, as they were of Christ. Your 
kind expressions, of the high esteem, and filial affection, 
■which I am well assured, your heart felt for your ven- 
erable colleague, and his amiable, consort, who were to 
us the best and dearest of parents, have served to en- 
liven and strengthen the feelings of our friendship for 
you, and to increase the satisfaction, with which we 
were before cordially disposed to acquiesce in your 
claim, of being considered as a child of the family, to- 
gether with ourselves. O that we might all approve 
ourselves, through grace, the worthy children of such 
worthy christian parents ! And that you and myself, 
as well as those who are their natural offspring, may 
be known among the people, as the heirs of their faitH 
and virtues, so that all who see us, may acknowledge, 
that we are the seed which the Lord hath blessed ! 
May you, and I i» particular, my dear friend, be bless- 
ed, not only with a large and increasing portion of the 
christian spirit, which formed the temper and conversa- 
lion of both those excellent one's of the earth, those 
precious servants of the Lord, who walked so exem- 
plarily in all the commandments and ordinances of the 



LETTERS.. 243 

fjord, who were so lovelj and pleasant in their lives, 
and in their dea(h, were scarcely divided : but also of 
the ministerial gifts and graces, with which our dear 
father was so richly furnished, and so honorably dis- 
tinguished, as a faithful, tender, and useful pastor I 
When such labourers are removed from their work, to 
their reward ; we who are left in the vineyard, should 
be awakened to double our diligence, that we may, as 
far as possible, supply the want of their services : and 
to this we should be animated by the thought, thaj if^ 
like them, \ie are found faithful unto death, we shall, 
Jike them, in due time, be relieved from the burden and 
heat of the day, which it is yet our lot to sustain, and 
foe graciously ordered home, to rest with them from our 
labours, and receive the promised crown of everlasting 
life. 

What a mournful scene, what a gloomy change, did 
your poor city exhibit, in consequence of that awful 
dispensation of a righteous Providence, with which it 
■was visited ! In what solemn language did that visita- 
tion say, ^' Come, behold the works of the Lord, what 
desolations he has made in the earth I" With what a 
loud voice did it speak, not only to those who were 
suffering under it, but to all to whom the tidings of it 
were published ! *' Hear and fear, and do no more so 
wickedly, lest some worse thing come upon you !" 
And how much is it to be lamented, that such a correc- 
tion is likely to produce no beiter, or more lasting ef- 
fects, even in your city, which was brought so low un- 
der the chastising hand of God 1 And that other 
cities and parts of our country, partakers with you in 
the same sins, have, in general, already wholly forgot- 
ten, if they ever manifested any disposition to consid-^ 



244 LETTERS. 

er, (hat the judgments which were inflicted on the Phi;^ 
ladelphians, happened to them for examples to other 
transgressors ! Still, however, it is a consolationj 
though in some respects a mournful one, to the believ- 
er, to know, (hat such a dispensation will accomplish 
all the counsel and pleasure of the Lord, which it was 
appointed to fulfil ; perhaps by hardening some sin- 
ners, and ripening (hem for sorer judgments, if not for 
final destruction, as well as by bringing other sinners 
to , repentance, and promoting the spiritual improve- 
ment of the people of God. In these latter respects, 
much good may be done by it, which is not visible to 
the eye^of man. At all events, it is certain, that the 
Lord is holy in all his ways, and righteous in all his 
works ; and every part of the wise, great and good plan 
of his administration, in its proper time and manner 
will be completed. Let us be thankful for what he al- 
lows us to understand of his perfections, purposes, and 
works ; and when these are concealed from our views, 
and surpass our comprehension, let us reverently and 
submissively bow before him, and humbly adore the 
infinite and incomprehensible God, whose thoughts and 
ways are as far above ours, as the heavens are higher 
than the earth. 

In this city, while Philadelphia was sitting solitary, 
and sorely weeping in the days of her affliction, and 
her miseries, some tenderly sympathized with her, 
many were alarmed for themselves, numbers of all de 
nominations united in observing a day of fasting, humili 
ation and prayer, (October 23,) and I know not but that 
a very few began to think that it was almost time, if 
they did not actually form some purposes, to repent 
and turn from their transgressions, that iniquity might 




LETTERS. 245 

not also be their ruin. But flie direful storm did not 
reach us ; the black cloud was dispersed ; our sky be- 
came again clear and serene ; and then the little ap-» 
pearances of goodness, that were seen among us, amidst 
many shocking symptoms of insensibility and obduracy, 
that still prevailed, were like the morning cloud ; and 
as the early dew, they passed away. During the suc- 
ceeding season, every species of dissipation and licen" 
tious folly, and particularly all the jncalcalable evils 
which issue from that modern Pandora's box, the thea- 
ire, have reigned and triumphed with all their former 
insolence, if not with increasing audacity. These things 
have made the hearts of those who fear God among us, 
often tremble with apprehensions for the consequences 
in which they are likely to end. For my own part, I 
have long been of the opinion with you, that if reforma- 
tion prevent not, judgement is not far distant. So ju- 
dicious 0X1 this subject, and so applicable to the present 
circumstances of our situation, were some of the re- 
flections contained in your letter, that I have taken the 
liberty, of inserting a paragraph or two of them in our 
city Gazette ; a liberty which 1 thought the laws of 
friendship, and your zeal to do good, would authorize. 
The same freedom has been used with a few pages of 
Dr. H's patnphlet, who in drawing the picture of Phila- 
delphia's sins, the parent of her plagues, has present- 
ed us with an equally just and striking likeness of the 
iniquities of Charleston. All the hands that can afford 
any help in the war with the reigning and raging vices 
and follies of the times, ought, I think, to be brought 
into action. And if your strong arm can be stretched 
out so far, as to give the enemy a stroke here, I hope 
you will not regret the execution which it may do, or 



246 LETTERS. 

the wound that it may inflict, or the alarm which it may 
spread. But after all, it is certainly not the arm of 
flesh, on which we are to depend for success ; and 
therefore, as you have desired us to pray for you, so do 
you remember to pray for us. And may you, and we, and 
all the professed friends of God, unite and pray without 
ceasing:, till the arm of the Lord awake and put on 
strength, and get him the victory, and triumph glorious- 
ly, in the destruction of the works of the devil, and in 
reviving, supporting, and promoting his own work and 
interests, in the midst of these years. 

It is with great pleasure that I reflect on your pres- 
ervation, to be employed, I hope, as a zealous and use- 
ful instrument, in carrying on this great design ; now 
especially, when your pious fellow labourer, having fin- 
ished the work which was given him to do, has gone to 
rest from his labours, and to receive the reward await- 
ing the good and faithful servant. I had no doubt but 
that you were led by the hand of God, from the scene 
of the awful calamity, to which so many of the inhabit- 
ants of your city were victims. Your return to Phila- 
delphia, must have been humbling and afflicting beyond 
what language could express. How changed the cir- 
cumstances, in which you resumed the exercise of your 
public ministry in your congregation I What a change, 
in particular, in the family of our dear father, your 
venerable colleague ! I suppose you did not on that oc- 
casion forget to feel for us. Be assured we felt very 
tenderly for you. 

It is no small consolation, amidst all the other strong 
consolations, which the God of all grace and comfort, 
has infused into the bitter cup of our great and various 
sorrows, to learn, that your impaired health has been 



LETTERS. 247 

SO mercifully restored, and that amidst all your increas- 
ed labours, your strength has been so wonderfully in- 
creased. Is not this a most desirable confirmation, by 
experience, of the faithfulness of Him, who has prom- 
ised, " that as thy dajs, so shall thy strength be ?" 
The truth of this, Mrs. K. and I would hope, her poor 
husband also, in some small measure with her, has 
comfortably experienced under all the weight of that 
part of your trials, which has fallen so heavily up- 
on our afflicted family. Let us all unite our songs 
of thanksgivings and praises, to our compassionate God 
and Saviour, who, in the midst of deserved wrath, re- 
members undeserved mercies ; and as our afflictions 
and sorrows have abounded, has made our consolations 
also to abound, by Christ Jesus. Let it be our concern 
and prayer, that the trial of our faith, and of all the 
graces which ought to be particularly exercised in such 
circumstances, may be sanctified to the purposes of 
strengthening, improving, and brightening them, so that 
they may be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, 
at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Then may we hopej, 
that our God, who has wisely led us all this way in the 
wilderness, to humble us, and to prove us, will, by this 
dispensation, do us good in the latter end ; and for the 
temporal evils which we have sufiered, render to us 
double in spiritual and heavenly blessings in Christ Je» 
sus. I sometimes begin to wonder how you can per- 
form all the ordinary parochial duties of so large a con- 
gregation as yours, and yet prepare so many and suck 
discourses as yours for the entertainment, and, I hope, 
for the instruction and improvement of the public, 
through the medium of the press. But a second 
thought reminds me that it is by the grace of God, that 



!^48 LETTERS. 

you are what you are, and that you do what you do« 
Remember this, and be humble and thankful. Remem- 
ber also the account which you have to give of your 
jive talents ; and be more and more diligent in occupy* 
ing with them. Compared with you, I appear to my- 
self to be honored and entrusted with only one talent 
This thought, I hope, I do not allow myself to indulge, 
with a view to excuse my ingratitude and unfaithful- 
ness, to the great Lord of all, from whom cometh down 
every good and every perfect gift ; but with a desire, that 
it should make and keep me humble. And the consider- 
ation of the very poor improvement which I have made 
of this, if it has not been wholly buried, ought to coyer 
me with shame and confusion of face, and to melt my 
soul into contrition and sorrow ; and it does actually 
often awaken my fear for the event of that day, when 
our Lord shall come to reckon with his servants. May 
the Lord grant, that we may both find mercy of the 
Lord in that day ! 

When will your other sermons, which you mention, 
appear in print ? Allow me to be a debtor to you for 
both of them, without allowing yourself to cherish any 
hope, that such favours will be repaid in kind. But 
for your encouragement and comfort remember, that it 
is more blessed to give, than to receive. 

Mrs. K. returns her very thankful acknowledge- 
ments to you for that part of your excellent letter, 
which relates particularly to her. In the exercise of 
that faith, which is not only the great principle of spirit- 
ual action, but also as you justly represent it, of spirit- 
ual consolation in the christian, she was, I think, won- 
derfully strengthened, in the late season of great af- 
iSiction, in which it has been extraordinarily tried. 



LETTERS, 249 

through grace, I hope, she has glorified God in the 
day of visitation, and done some service to (he cause 
of religion, by manifesting its power, in supporting and 
comforting the soul, under the pressure of some of the 
greatest troubles with which this evil world abounds. 
She is, however, always complaining of herself; and 
I have always reason to consider her conduct us a re- 
proach to me ; and this will not surprise you, if you 
yet feel any thing of the power of the law of sin ; or 
if you have ever been much in the company of christ- 
ians better than yourself. 

We were not a little shocked to hear from your pub- 
lic papers, that your new play-house was to be opened 
about the beginning of February, amidst all the appre- 
hensions entertained, of a return of the awful calamity 
with which your city has been already so sorely 
scourged. The renewal of that scourging, I am inclin- 
ed to think, will depend more upon your moral behav- 
iour, than upon any natural causes. And in this view, 
so heaven daring, and provoking a return to folly, bodes 
ill. If the voice of the rod which you have felt, be not 
heard ; may you not expect that some heavier and 
more smarting strokes of it will be inflicted upon you ? 
Or if such chastisement shall be withheld, will it not be, 
because the Lord has said ; Why should ye be smitten 
any more ? Ye will revolt still more and more ? Rath- 
er let your city and ours, and you and myself, as indi- 
viduals, be chastised in any way in mercy, than thus 
given up in judgement. 

Concerning our coming to Philadelphia : we dare 

not yet venture to form any conclusion : but desire to 

discern, and submit to the Lord's will, to follow his 
S2 



f50 LETTERS* 

guidance, and wait bis time. Help us in this matterj a» 
well as in all our other affairs, by your prayers. 

In affectionate regards and prayers for Mrs. G. as 
ivell as yourself, Mrs. K. unites with your unworthy- 
friend and brother, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 

P.S. We have been informed that the Rev. J. Smith, 
has been instrumental in adding 60 or 70 persons, to 
the number of (he communicants in his congregation, 
since the dreadful fever took place in your city. If 
this be true, and if these persons be hopeful converts, 
this circumstance affords strong encouragement to hope, 
that the awful calamity with which you were visited, 
has not been a lost dispensation, and that it may yet 
be followed with a more extensive blessing. Such ap- 
pearances demand fervent praises ; and furnish ground 
for pleasing,expectations. 

TO MB. AND MRS. L. 

CHARLESTON, DECEMBER 6, 1796. 

MY DEAR FRIENDS, 

W iTH cordial affection, and a very 
tender sympathy, I take my part with you in your af- 
fliction, under the late bereaving stroke of the holy 
band of God, by which he has taken from you, your 
dear child ; a sweet lovely babe, whose pleasing, charm- 
ing countenance, forcibly impressed my mind, as I find 
it did the minds of some other observers, when he was 
eolemnly presented to the Lord, and received into the 



LETTERS. 25i 

church at his baptism. On that occasion, and in the 
very serious and iriteresting transaction with the 
great and blessed God, our Creator, Redeemer, and 
Sanctifier, ^o which you were then called ; 1 trust you 
"Were, through his grace with jou, enabled in sincerity, 
and without reserve, to give him up, and dedicate him 
to the Lord, who had first given him to you ; desirous, 
and hoping, and believing, and rejoicing in the pleasing 
and comfortable persuasion, that your offering would 
be graciously accepted ; and that he should be the 
Lord's in the bonds of the well ordered, sure, and ever- 
lasting covenant, of which our dear Saviour is the bless- 
ed Mediator; and which in all its glorious provisions, 
and great and precious promises, is fitted to be all our sal-* 
vatiun, and all our desire. Was it not then the ultimate 
and highest aim of your affectionate desires and prayers 
in favour of your dear and beloved infant, that be might 
be finally and for ever with the Lord, in his heavenly 
kingdom ? Well ; you now have your wish. And how 
soon has it been accomplished, and gratified to the 
fullest extent? The lovely babe, that was lately the 
desire of your eyes, and that shared, I suppose, a suffi- 
cient portion of the tenderest affections of your hearts, 
has been, I doubt not, washed from the guilt and pollu- 
tion of his nature, derived from fallen Adam, by the 
blood of Christ our Saviour, and sanctified by the Spirit 
of grace, and is now safely and happily lodged in the arms 
and bosom of its Heavenly Father, and Divine Re- 
deemer, with all those blessed little children, of which 
the kingdom of Heaven eminently consists ; and where 
it is infinitely better provided for, than it could be with 
you, in this present evil world. From thence, as you 
know he cannot, so, I believe, you would not dare t® 



NMi, 



252 LETTERS. 

wish, that he should return to you, to partake with 
you in the various evils of this state of sin and sorrow, 
from which he has been so early and so kindly taken 
away. And do you hop^, that you will in due time go 
to him, to dwell there wilh him, and wiih all who are 
redeemed to God by the blood of the Lamb, and are 
there made perfect in holiness, and raised to fulness of 
joy in the presence of the Lord ? In the mean time, 
have you the consolation of believing and being assured, 
that the Lord doth all things well ; that all his paths 
towards you, are mercy and truth ; and that all things, 
through his sanctifying blessing, shall work together 
for your good ? Surely then you must feel your obliga- 
tions, and I trust you will, through grace, be according- 
ly disposed, to weep for your temporary loss of the 
satisfactions and pleasures, which you were beginning 
to enjoy in your dear babe, as though you wept not : 
to rejoice in all the remaining comforts of life, as though 
you rejoiced not ; holding them also resigned to the 
Lord's disposal, and ready to be given up to him at his 
call ; to glorify him by a cheerful submission to his 
will in all things, and cordial approbation of all his deal- 
ings with you, and dispensations towards you, and earn- 
est prayers and endeavours that you may comply with 
the wise and gracious designs of them all ; and to as* 
pire more ardently, and to press forward more diligent- 
ly and vigorously, in the way of faith in the Redeemer, 
and obedience to his gospel, towards that blessed 
world, where there shall be no more sin nor death ; nor 
any more tears, nor occasions of them ; but where ho- 
liness shall be complete ; and joy shall be full and ever- 
growing, and all the work shall be love and praise, 
through all the ages of a blessed and glorious imraor- 



LETTERS. 253 

talitj. With such views of the wise counsels of God 
our Saviour, respecting ourselves, and all that we hold 
dear to us, and of the salutary tendency and desirable 
effects of all his dispensations, even the most afflictive 
that we have ever felt, or may yet be called to suffer ; 
the aspect of affliction appears to be greatly changed. 
Notwithstanding all the severity with which, in some 
cases, it seems to frown upon us, it must be, at the same 
time, presented to our minds, as a genuine fruit of our 
Heavenly Father's love, and as a necessary and sea- 
sonable proof of his covenant mercy and faithfulness ; 
ordering a painful trial of a few moment's continuance, 
for the desirable purposes of yielding to us the present 
peaceable fruits of righteousness, and of working for us a 
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Under 
the impressions which such views, accompanied by the 
influences of the good Spirit of God, are adapted to 
make upon our hearts, we shall feel ourselves led to 
say, with some small measure at least, of the mind that 
■was in our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, in respect to 
the greatest trial and conflict that may be appointed to 
us ; " O my Father, if this cup may not pass from me, 
except I drink it ; thy will be done i" When his grace 
has brought us to this temper and mind, it will not only 
" make submission Aery sweet, in what is most contrary 
to nature" (as my dear Mrs. Keith, often and often 
said she had felt it, and as, I trust, I also have found in 
my own experience,) but it will dispose us to bless the 
chastising hand of our Heavenly Father, in the most 
painful dispensations of his providence, and to says 
with our excellent friend Newton, 

** 'Tis my happiness below, 
J^ot to live tvithout the cross ; 



iS54 LETTERS. 

But the Saviour's power to know. 

Sanctifying every loss. 

Trials must and will befal ; 
But, with humble faith to see 
JLove inscribed upon them all ; 
This is happiness to me. 

Trials make the promise siveet / 
Trials give new life to prayer ; 
Trials bring me to his feet ,• 
Lay me fow, and keep me thereP 

ALSO COWPER. 

*' Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take ; 
The clouds ye so much dread, 
Are big with mercies, and shall break 
In blessings on your head," 

AND NEWTON AGAIN. 

" Since all that I meet, shall work for my good ; 
The bitter is sweet, the roed'cine is food ; 
Tho' painful at present, 't will cease before long : 
And then, O how pleasant. The conqueror's song !" 

Through grace, I think I have been enabled, under 
my great trial, to enter a little more deeply and fully 
into the spirit of the above lines, and of such sentimentis 
and views as they express. And under the influence 
of them, and in some measure, of the experience of their 
power and efficacy, I think, I found and felt, that it 
was good, that it was desirable for me to be afflicted, 
as I was, in the tenderest feelings of ray nature, and the 
dearest interests and comforts of this mortal life ; and I 
believe I owe it as a debt of gratitude to the God of all 
grace, for his most unmerited, free, rich, sovereign 
grace experienced, to acknowledge to his praise, that as 
my afflictions abounded, so his consolations also were 
made to abound to me, by Christ Jesus, my Interces- 
sor and Redeemer 5 so that the season which was in 
many respects the most trying that I have ever suflfer- 



LETTERS. 255 

ed, was at the same time made, in t)ther respects, the 
most comfortable (hat I have ever known and enjoyed. 
I would hope that it has not thus far passed, with- 
out some important and desirable benefits and advan- 
tages attending it. But, alas ! how transient will be 
the best impressions produced by it, without the con- 
tinued influence of the Divine Comforter and Sanctifierl 
How soon have some of my best purposes, formed in 
this interesting, memorable season of conflict an'cl com- 
fort, been forgotten, or miserably failed in the execu- 
tion ! Oh, how soon has my evil heart of unbelief, wan- 
dered and departed from its rest, and establishment in 
the Lord my God and Saviour ! With what various 
temptations has ray soul been assaulted and shaken ! 
What hours and days of darkness, stupidity, distrac- 
tion, and dejection, all as the bitter fruits of my sins 
and follies, have I known within a few weeks past ! 
Yet, when I deserved, for all my sins and folly in for- 
saking my own mercies, and following after lying vani- 
ties, to be cast off forever : I am still encouraged to 
hope, that the Lord has not utterly forsaken me, but has 
again and again restored to me his free spirit of grace, 
to draw me again to himself, at a throne of grace in 
prayer and supplication ; to excite and enable me to 
renew my repentance, and application by faith, to the 
atoning and healing blood of Jesus my Redeemer ; to 
repeat and ratify again my violated vows and engage- 
ments of a better obedience and submission to the holy 
will of God ; and to raise me again to some renewed ex- 
periences of the consolations of his pardoning mercy, 
and of the joys of his salvation. Oh what a God and 
Saviour have we to deal with, to go, and return to, to 
trust and to hope in ! Be humble, be thankful^ O my 



/ : 



256 LETTERS. 

soul : love and fear him with all thy power : rest in 
him alone as thj refuge and portion, and in promoting 
his glory, and shewing forth his praise, let all thy ac- 
tivity and zeal, be henceforth employed ! And may 
thy grace, my Lord and Saviour, be made sufficient 
for me, and thy strength perfect in my weakness, for 
these desirable purposes ! Pray for me, my dear friends, 
for I feel my need of the helping prayers of all who 
love me, and feel any interest in my concerns. When 
I am enabled to pray at all, if ever I do pray, T en- 
deavour, from time to time, to offer up some petitions 
for you : for you my dear Mrs. L. that the Lord may, 
in his own way be pleased (and I would hope, that 
your late afflictions is one of the means which he has 
appointed, and may be pleased to sanctify in order) to 
bring yon home to himself, and to the happy experi- 
ence of that rest, which your soul can find only in your 
Redeemer ; and of that salvation which is in him, with 
eternal glory ; and that you my dear Mrs. L. may be 
more and more established and built up in your faith in 
the Saviour, on whom you have believed, may more 
and more grow in the knowledge of him, and in grace 
and usefulness ; and in meetness for the inheritance of 
the saints in light I While I very sensibly feel, and of- 
ten lament, the want of the improving and comforting 
society of your dear father and mother, and those 
branches of their family, including yourself, that are 
now in the country, I rejoice in the prospect and hope 
of your being favoured now, for a short time at least, 
with the desirable advantages of the public means of 
grace among you there, under the ministry of the Rev. 
Mr. Waddell. May the Lord abundantly bless his 
labours among you, during his stay ; and determine his 



LETTERS. 25f 

final setllement there, if that would be most for his glo- 
rj, and the good of his church ! My health is rather 
better than some weeks a^o, though still very lender 
and delicate. But it is a wonder of mercy, that it is 
restored to that measure in which I now enjoy it. May 
you and yours enjoy that degree of health, and every 
other comfort of this life, that may be best for you, and 
be abundantly blessed with all spiritual, heavenly, and 
everlasting blessings, in Christ Jesus ! 

I aoi very sincerely, and affectionately, your friend, 

ISAAC S, KEITH. 



TO REV. DR. G. 

€HARLEST©N, DECEMBER 10, 1796. 
mr DEAR SIR, 

The arrival of Capt. G. on the 30th ult, 
brought me three letters from you, under dates of 
September 21, October 24, and November 16 ; for all 
of which I cordially thank you, and particularly for the 
second, which is the longest ; partly on that account, 
and partly as it is wholly occupied with a subject pe- 
culiarly, and very deeply interesting!: to me, in my pres- 
ent state of great and painful trial, and contains a varie- 
ty of important observations, admirably suited to my 
feelings, my wants, and my experiences, in this trying 
situation, it is regarded and felt by me, as the best of 
the three, which are all indeed very good. The spirit 
of God, I trust, has directed your thoughts and your 
pen, so that you have been led to write a word, and 

many words indeed, in season, and with the skill of a 
33 



258 LETTERS, 

distinguishing judgement, and the tenderness of christ- 
ian sympathy and love, to a weary, wounded, and great- 
ly afflicted and tempest-tossed soul. The greater part 
of the thoughts which you have suggested in the body 
of your letter, particularly alluded to, had indeed pre- 
viously occurred to my own mind, and were impressed 
upon it, as I trust, by the divine Sanctifier and Com- 
forter, with that divine light and energy, which for 
several weeks, made the season, which was in many 
respects, the most painfully trying that I have ever 
known, a time of the greatest refreshing, from the pres- 
ence of the Lord ; of the strongest consolation, the 
sweetest peace, and the liveliest hope, that 1 have ever 
experienced. Yet the new and excellent arrangement, 
and the forcible manner in which your fertile, judicious, 
and nervous pen, has again recalled them to my remem- 
brance, and presented them to my view, has served 
to make me feel them with a new impression, and I 
would hope, not without some additional advantage and 
improvement. And shall I now acknowledge to you, 
that after following you step by step, and reading at- 
tentively, and with much satisfaction, what you had so 
kindly, and so well written, I was the most forcibly struck 
with some observations towards the conclusion of the 
letter, which are adapted to excite the most painful sen- 
sations, but which I have, to my great mortification^ 
and with inexpressible regret, found wonderfully co-in- 
cident with my late bitter experience? Yes, my friend, 
I have thought, " that under the first pressure of my 
affliction, God was pleased to give me such views of his 
sovereign right to dispose of my dear partner," and of 
every thing that my heart was disposed to hold most 
dear and valuable, and important to me in my connex- 



LETTERS. 25d 

Ion with her ; and of his doing all things well, " and 
such freedom of soul, sweetly to acquiesce in his will, 
as were effectual to mingle the tears of joj, with those 
of mourning.'* But as you, bj something like a spirit 
of prophesy, have suggested, I have found, *' that I 
had no security for the continuance of so desirable a 
frame of mind." I have since indeed felt, " that it may 
not only be very difficult," but that I have actually 
been, altogether unable, " to preserve a right temper, 
in other circumstances of an afflictive nature, which to 
others," and to myself in prospect, might have ap- 
peared to be much less trying. Since some of the 
first weeks of this memorable season of trial and com- 
fort, oh ! how weak has my faith been found I How 
have I been shaken by various temptations, on the foun- 
dation where I thought I stood most securely ; the 
atonement, righteousness, and intercession of the Re- 
deemer, and the glorious provisions, and the great and 
precious promises of the covenant of grace, of which 
he is the blessed Mediator ; while my interest in these, 
have been hid from my view ! How soon have my 
best impressions been lost, or greatly abated, and my 
best purposes been forgotten, or miserably failed in the 
execution! How soon has my light been exchanged for 
darkness ; and my peace for trouble ! And how many 
hours and days of stupidity, distraction, and dejection, 
have I lately known ! Lord what is man ! Oh, how de- 
ceitful above all things, and desperately wicked is the 
human heart ! And how artful and powerful is that ad- 
versary, who goeth about continually seeking whom he 
may destroy, or harass, and injure, to the extent of his 
abilities ! And oh ! what a God and Saviour, have we 
to go, and return to, to trust, and to hope in ; who, as a 



^6# LETTERS, 

father pitieth his children, pitief h them that fear him ; 
who has coijjpassion for their infirmities, forgives the 
muhitude of their transgressions, according to the mul- 
titude of his tender mercies ; heals their backslidings ; 
subdues the power of their unbelief and their iniquities; 
bruises down satan in due time under their feet ; and 
instead of casting them awaj for ever, as he justly 
might, for their sin and toUy in wandering from him, and 
forsaking their own mercies, in the foolish pursuit of 
lying vanities, graciously restores to them again and 
again, his free spirit of grace, to draw them again to 
himself, in the exercises of repentance and failh, 
prayer and hope, and the renewal of their forgotten, 
■violated vows of a better obedience and submission to 
his holy will, for the time to come ; when thus humbled 
again before him, raises them again to some renewed 
experiences of his pardoning mercy, and of the joys of 
his salvation ! Thus, I sometimes dare to think and 
hope, the Lord iiath dealt with me, who am less than 
the least of all his mercies, and the very chief of sin- 
ners. Oh ! ray soul, and all that is within me, bless 
the Lord for all his wise counsels, and gracious deal- 
ings : fear and love him, who corrects thee to humble 
and prove thee, and to do thee good in the latter end ; 
who by the various changes through which he leads 
thee, takes the wisest and best methods^ to discover 
thy weakness and insufficiency ; thy sins and follies, and 
to manifest the glory of his own abounding all-sufficient 
grace, and astonishing and everlasting love. Rest in 
]|3im alone, as thy refuge and portion, and thy All in all : 
and in promoting his glory, and shewing forth his praise, 
and in following thy dearest of all mortal friends, and 
^li other christian friends, now inheriting the promises 



LETTERS. 261 

in his heavenly kingdom, and the enjoyment of that 
everlasting rest, which remainelh for the people of God, 
let all thy activity and zeal, be henceforth emj)loyed I 
And may the grace of my Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ, be made sufficient for me, and his strength per- 
fect in my weakness, for these important and desirable 
purposes. To these purposes, help me, my friend, 
"wilh your prayers. In return for this most important 
office of love, that absent friends can render to each 
other, I shall endeavour, when I can pray for myself, 
to offer up for you also, from lime to time, some peti- 
tions, that the God of all grace may supply all your 
"Wants, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Je- 
sus, so as to fujnish you thoroughly, for all your work 
and warfare, and panicolariy for the purpose of sanc- 
tifying to your good, arid to the benefit of the church, 
that bodily affiiction with which you are exercised, 
\?rhich at the first view, seems to wear a frowning as- 
pect towards yourself and your people ; but which 
may be appointed, oidered, and conducted, in manifold 
wisdom, ftiithful love, and tender mercy to both. You 
have not, I presume, forgotten what you have written 
tome; that is, " when the chastisements of Heaven, are 
sanctified, they are not judgements, but mercies." Of 
the truth of this I am well assured : in the experience of 
it, I have thought that I have been enabled, sincerely to 
rejoice ; may I, and may you feel, more and more of 
its power and happy influence upon our temper and 
conduct, under our respective trials I 

Under ray great and sore troubles, which the Lord 
has shewed me, it has been no small consolation to me, 
and indeed, one of the greatest that I have enjoyed, to 
perceive the continuance of hopeful appearances, that the 



282 LETTERS. 

Lord has been, and is still, carrying on a work of grace 
among us in this part of his church. To the advance- 
ment of this, the judgements which he has executed 
among us by fire and mortal sickness, during the past 
seasons, have, I trust, been made happily subservient, 
through the attending influences of his sanctifying 
spirit. If the particular afflictions, or the consolations 
under them, which I have experienced, may have been, 
as I am led to hope they have been, in some measure 
conducive, through the same sanctifying blessing, to 
the benefit, and the furtherance of the salvation of any 
of any beloved and affectionate people, who have most 
kindly taken their, part in my afflictions, and all my 
concern?; blessed be the name of God ; and for such 
a deairable purpose, I think it an honor, privilege, and 
happiness, to be called to suffer the greatest trials with 
which it pleases the only wise God our Saviour, to ex- 
ercise his people and his ministers, in this probationary 
state. ^ 

My health is in some degree graciously restored to 
me, from a state of extreme and alarming weakness, to 
which 1 was reduced by sickness, in August and Sep- 
tember. That measure of it which I now enjoy, is 
however but small, and attended with some threatening 
symptoms. I have been, and am, sufficiently admonished, 
to remind me that the time is short, and that I must ere 
long, and may very soon, put off this tabernacle, and 
pass from all earthly scenes, to my everlasting abode in 
the world of spirits. Oh ! may I be effectually awak- 
ened, and engaged, through the grace of God with me, 
to do the work of my day, before that night comes, in 
"which no man can work, and so to acquit myself in the 
duties, and under the trials, of my christian profession^ 



LETTERS. 263 

and ministerial ofSce, that when I finish my course here, 
I may enter into the future, full, and everlasting joy of 
my Lord; in his kingdom of glory, where, with the late 
dear partner of all my cares and joys in this mortal life, 
and with all the spirits of the just made perfect, I may 
glorify the adorable Author of my being, redemption, 
and happiness, infinitely better than I ever have done, 
or ever can do, in this evil world ! 
Your unworthy brother, and friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



TO DR. F. 

CHARLESTaN, OCTOBER 15, 1SO0. 

DEAR SIR, 

Very pressing engagements, prevented my 
answering your kind letter of the 20th ult. at the time 
of my receiving it. 

The sentiments which you have suggested in your 
letter concerning the Missionary business in our coun- 
try, accord wonderfully with my own on this subject; 
and of course have given me much pleasure. For 
some considerable time past, I have been revolving 
many of the very thoughts, which you have so well, 
and so feelingly expressed, in my own mind ; and on 
several occasions, I have given some pretty plain, and 
broad hints in my public discourses from the pulpifj 
relative to what is doing by others in Europe and the 
United Slates, and to what appears to me to be our 
duty in Carolina, in this most worthy undertaking, and 
most important of all causes. But as my attention and 



264 LETTER B. 

time are fully occupied, with the stated duties of my 
office and situation, during the absence of my colleague, 
I have not found leisure for digesting a plan, which 
might be best suited to our circurnstances here, and 
which it might be most expedient for us to adopt, in 
pursuit of this great and benevolent design. Some- 
thinac, I think, ought to be done; and somethinir, I 
trust, will ere Ions: be done, in the way of making an 
attempt, at least, af this sood work, by the fjiends of 
Zion in our chuich ; and I would hope, by others of 
different denoninaTions. One of our worthy deacons, 
Mr. Charles Snowden, in the course of conversation 
this week, introduced this subject with a warm interest 
in it, before I had spoken a word to him on Ihe subject. 
We ought, I think, to have made earlier advances in 
this business, and now we ought to redeem the time, 
and double our diligence, for helping it forward, in one 
way or another. Yet there is room for our co-opera- 
tion, and for the desirable (nuts of our labours of love, 
and of our liberality, to be diffused far and wide through 
the land ; especially among our frontier inhabitants, if 
not among the savage tribes. " Mercy shall be b«iilt up 
for ever." The glorious things spoken of Zion, shall 
be fulfilled in their appointed time. The fulness of 
Jews and Gentiles shall be brought into the church of 
Christ. The world seems to be now groaning and tra- 
vailing in pain, with great events, favourable in their ul- 
timate tendency, to the extension, peace and prosperi- , 
ty of the Redeemer's kingdom. Let us pray, and hope, 
let us bestow, and labour, for its advancement, in 
the spirit of those devout, catholic, elegant and nervous 
linefs of Walts ; 



iBTTERS. 265 

»*From all that dwell below the skies> 
Let the Creator's praise arise, 
Let the Redeemer's name be sung, 
Through every land, by every tongue." 

A few days ago, Mr. Josiah Sfnifh, read me a part o£ 
a letter which he had lately received from Mr. Snowderi 
of Philadelphia, informing that Mr. Boudinot, director 
of the mint, had lately presented to the corporation of 
the genej-al Assembly of the Presbyterian church, for 
the purposes of promoting the interests of the gospel 
among our frontier inhabitants, the negroes, and the In- 
dian tribes, fen thousand acres of land, worth one dollar 
and an half per acre, equal to 15,000 Dolls, with four 
hundred Dollars, of^iper cent stock, designed for pay« 
ment of taxes, hereafler arising. And further, that a 
gentleman, a minister, who had been authorized to make 
collections for the missionary purposes, had received 
three thousand dollars. These are surely noble benefac- 
tions, and encouraging beginnings. May all that love 
Zion, and seek her good, prosper more and more, for 
time and eternity ! And with them, may your lot and 
mine be found .' Your's affectionately, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



TO— — 

OCTOBER 27, 1801. 
DEAR SIR, 

Accept now my sincerely grateful acknowl- 
edgements, for both yo:ir friendly codunuoica'fions; 
which on several accounts, ha^e afforded me much sat- 
isfaction ; and especially as the first more largely, and 
34 



26& tETTERS. 

the latter more conciselj, furnish pleasing indicatiortgj 
of your being under the influence of the christian tem- 
per, and an hopeful learner in the school of Christ, 
The complaints against yourself, which you so feeling- 
ly express, are no bad evidences of your having obtain- 
ed, through a Divine teaching, some just knowledge of 
yourself; and their effects will be highly salutary and 
beneficial, if they are improved, as I trust they will be 
by you, according to their proper tendency, to the pur- 
poses of rendering, the Saviour of sinners, the Physi- 
cian of sin sick souls, more and more precious to you ; 
and of engaging you to prize more highly, his gospel, 
as the warrant of your hope, and the instrument of your 
consolation. Let it be remembered, that humility is 
the first lesson, which we are required to learn, when 
we are called to take upon us the yoke of the meek, 
and lowly Jesus ; that humility is an essential, distin- 
guishing, and most amiable feature in the christian 
character ; and that in the course of the life, which, as 
christians, we are to lead, by faith in the Son of God, 
we may ever estimate the degree to which we have at- 
tained in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and 
Saviour, by the measure of real humility which we pos- 
sess. And to lay us low in humility, and at the same 
time, to exalt our Redeemer in our esteem, how need- 
ful and desirable are those discoveries of our depravi- 
ty, our weaknesses, our failures, our follies, our offences, 
"which are occasioned by the business, the enjoyments, 
the temptations, of every day ; and those views of the 
compassion, the leve, the wisdom, the power, the right- 
eousness, the intercession of Christ, to which the spir- 
it of God, hy the instrumentality of his word, most sen- 
sibly raises the minds of believers, when they would 



LETTERS. SSy 

^otherwise be more ready to sink in despondence, or tp 
yield to discouragement ! All the paths of the Lord, 
towards his people, the genuine followers of Christ, are 
mercy and truth : though in these, they are often led, 
like the blind, as in a way which they understand not, 
till they find, as they surely will, in due time, that all 
the things which appeared to be most against them, 
were working most certainly and effectually for their 
good. May the only wise God, our Saviour, and the 
God of all grace, teach and dispose us, to be more and 
more satisfied, that his wisdom should guide us, and that 
our best interests should be promoted, by the means 
which he may choose ; though the most mortifying to 
our natural vanity, and self-sufficiency, and the most 
painful, to our vicious self-love. In a word, may the 
Lord increase our faith ; then we shall certainly have 
increase in every grace ; in those humiliations for our 
deficiences and transgressions, and in those fruits of 
love, and of holiness, by which he will be most glori- 
fied, and ourselves most benefitted ! 

As to the Society, Sec. it was not our expectation, 
that contributions towards the. formation, and support 
of it, would be obtained at present, to any considerable 
extent ; or from any but those who felt themselves 
disposed or interested, on some principle or other, in pro- 
moting the great cause of religion ; and who cherished 
at the same time, sentiments friendly to the Independent 
or Congregational churches. That the idea of emanci- 
pation being connected with our design, should be en- 
tertained by any, and be suggested as an objection, is 
indeed surprising. With as good ground might we be 
suspected of aiming at that object, in the stated exercise 
of our gospel ministry in this city. It should be re- 



26S letters/ 

membered, that every member of the Association is in- 
terested, as an owner, in that species of property^ 
against w{iich emancipation would operate, and ought, 
therefore, to be in the judgement of charit j, considered 
as believing that their conduct in holding that property, 
is justifiable ; and that in consistency with this, they 
may employ their endeavours, and use their influence, 
for promoting, as extensively as possible, and in all 
practicable and promising ways, the knowledge of that 
blessed gospel, which, while it proves the power of God, 
to the eternal salvation of every believer, has the most 
direct tendency, and powerful efficacy, towards mak- 
ing men better, and more faithful in every relation, and 
more contented and happy in every situation in which 
they are placed by the wise and good providence of God. 
In the comniencment of this Society, we thought it 
most expedient, that the members of it, should belong 
to the Congregational churches, in order to secure that 
harmony of sentiment, which appeared to be very im- 
portant in the first measures, that should be attempted 
to be pursued, with a view to the accomplishment of a 
great object ; while our resources were not expected to 
be very ample. Should it hereafter appear to be ad- 
Tisable to admit persons of other denominations, as 
members of the Society, I trust that the first members 
of it will be found possessed of a sufficient degree of 
liberality and zeal, readily and cordially to receive such 
to co-operate with them in so good a work. In this 
city, donations are already engaged by subscription, to 
the amount of about ^700, and also about sixteen mem- 
bers, for the payraentof 5 dollars annually. And a con- 
siderable addition, both of donations and members, is yet 
expected. Your affectionate friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



liETTERS. 26f 

TO HIS SISTER. 

cHARLESTOjr, JULY 15, 18Q;g, 
jyiY DEAR SISTER, 

While on a short visit at onr brother and 
sister M's, last fall, 1 wrote you a few lines in great 
haste, informing you, that my dear wife, with her sister. 
Miss M. L. and myself, had spent a considerable part 
of the preceding season in travelling, first by sea to 
New- York, and then by land to Ballston SpringSj 
and thence through New-England, &c. &c. chiefly 
■with a view to the benefit of Mrs. K's health, which 
had been for several years greatly impaired. This 
measure was adopted and pursued, after the skill of 
physicians, and the power of medicine, had been long 
tried, without much effect, as the one which seemed to 
promise most success. But it did not please the Lord^ 
in whose hands are all events, to render it effectual to 
the attainment of the desired object. For a time, in- 
deed, it seemed to be attended with the happiest ef- 
fects. All the pleasing, flattering hopes, however, 
which were thus raised, soon terminated in painful dis- 
appointment. , 

We returned to Charleston by land ; after travelling 
from New-York, in various places and directions, about 
2000 miles, from the middle of July. Generally, 
•while riding, my dear Mrs. K. was sensibly better, but 
within a few days after reaching home, which was on 
the 2d of December, she was confined to her chamber, 
in consequence of the increase of a cold which she had 
taken on the road. At different times^ her cough was 



2T0 LETTERS, 

attended with a spitting of blood. And from this periodji 
her former complaints, increased by this severe cold, and 
alarming haemorrhage, began to assume decidedly the 
form of a consumption, of the nervous class ; under 
"which she languished, till the 15th day of May last ; 
•when, between six and seven o'clock, in the morning of 
the Lord's day, she left me, and her other connexions 
and friends here, in the house of mourning, and trium- 
phantly entered upon the enjoyment of that everlasting 
sabbath, which is celebrated by the spirits of the just, 
made perfect in glory. 

" To her — to die, was indeed great gain,'^ But to 
me, how great is the loss, which I sufifer in being again 
bereaved of the nearest and dearest of all human con- 
nexions ; and again deprived of all the desirable advan- 
tages and comforts, which were found in the society of 
a worthy and amiable Christian friend, united with me 
in the tenderest of all mortal ties. But the Lord is 
righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. He 
doth all things well ; and under his administration, and 
through his sanctifying blessing, all things shall most 
certainly and effectually work together for good, to 
those who love him. And blessed be his name for all 
the rich, and strong consolations, with which he has 
mingled and sweetened the bitter cup, which he has 
given me to drink ; while he calls me to mourn under 
this bereaving stroke of his holy hand ! 

The first months of my dear wife's illness, were to 
her a season of great trial. Her affectionate heart, feel- 
ing the full force of a naturally warm and tender attach- 
ment to her beloved connexions and friends, was some- 
times almost overwhelmed with the thought of a final 
reparation from them, as to this world, which she began 



LETTERS. Sn 

to anticipate as near at hand. Still more was she dis« 
tressed with a consciousness of many spiritual infirmi- 
ties, and of various guilt; especially when she consider- 
ed herself as an ungrateful backslider, who had suffered 
the cares and the enjoyments of this life, to abate the 
zeal and delight, which she had experienced for some- 
time after she began to walk in wisdom's ways, under 
the influence of her first love. And at the same time, 
the temptations of the artful, malicious adversary, were 
frequently employed to darken and perplex her mind ; 
and more particularly to increase her natural dread of 
suffering ; and especially her fear of the pain of dying. 
He was, however, never permitted to prevail so far 
against her, as to deprive her wholly of the hope in her 
Redeemer, which she had cherished, and which she 
was enabled to hold fast, from the period of her first 
making an open profession of her faith in him, and of 
her being received into the communion of his church, 
which was about seven years ago. As to her hope^ 
she repeatedly observed, that she had often, and often 
examined the foundation of it, and earnestly prayed, 
that if it were not a genuine, well-founded, christian 
hope, it might be torn from her, and she left destitute 
and forlorn, till she should obtain a better. But finding 
that it rested solely on the atonement, the righteous- 
ness, the intercession, and the promises of her Redeem- 
er, she was led to rejoice in him, as an holy Saviour, 
who saves his people from their sins, and makes them 
holy; while it disposed her to renounce, with abhor- 
rence, the idea of recommending herself to the favour 
of God, by any good works that she had ever done, or 
ever could do, and proved an anchor to her soul, amid 
the most violent assaults of temptation, and under the 



2f2 LBTTERS. 

most humbling discoveries of her own corruptions, fail- 
ings, and offences. She thought that her hope was sup- 
ported by scripture evidence, and that to give it up, 
would be ungrateful to her Lord, and a wrong done to 
her own soul. Yet, such were her views of the corrup- 
tions of her nature, and such her conflicts in the chris- 
tian warfare, that she enjoyed, for a long time, but little 
of the peculiar satisfactions or consolations of religion. 
And while in this uncomfortable frame of mind, she 
would frequently, and most pathetically repeat, that 
excellent expressive hymn of Cowper, the 98th, Rip- 
pon's Selection 5 or the 3d in the Isl Book of Olnej 
Hymns. 

Oh, for a closer walk with God, 

A calm and heavenly frame : 

A light to shine upon the road , 

That leads me to the Lamh ! 

Where is the blessedness T knew. 
When first I saw the Lord ? 
Where is the soul refreshing view 
Of Jesus and his word ? 

What peaceful hours T then enjoy'd. 
How sweet their memory still ; 
But now I find an aching void. 
The world can never fill. 

Beturn, O holy Dove, return. 
Sweet messenger of rest ! 
I hate the sins that made thee roourn^ 
And drove thee from my breast- 

The dearest idol I have known, 
WhflteVr that idol be, 
Help me to tear it from thy throne. 
And worship only thee. 

So shall rav walk be close with God, 
Calm and serene my frame ; 
80 purer light shall mark the road, 
^hat leads me to the Lamb. 



LETTERS. 273 

At length the scene became most happ'ilj changed in 
her favour, and to the unspeakable consolation of her 
sympathizing friends. This change from an anxious 
and gloomy, to a calm and heavenly, frame of mind, 
took place more than two months prior to her dissolu- 
tion. The Spirit of God, having brought her down to 
a state of deep humiliation and contrition, began then 
clearly and satisfactorily to bear witness with her 
spirit, that she was a child of God, through her union, 
by a vital faith, with his beloved Son, and that he was 
exercising her with all the aflSictions and trials which 
she endured, not for his pleasure, but for her profit, that 
she might become a partaker, in a larger measure, of his 
holiness. Being now enabled, with humble confidence, 
to claim an interest in his favour and love, while rely- 
ing with a cheerful, stedfast trust, on the atoning, cleans- 
ing blood, and justifying righteousness, of Jesus, her 
broken, sorrowing heart, was healed and revived ; nor 
were the consolations of God any longer small with her. 
Her soul now filled, if not with sensible joy, at least 
with solid, settled peace in believing, no longer felt its 
former difficulty and reluctance, in giving up all the en- 
dearments and comforts, which she had experienced, or 
could ever hope to find, in the society of her dearest 
relatives and friends on earth ; for now all her hope and 
confidence, her affections and joys, were concentrated 
in that Divine Friend, her blessed and dear Redeemer, 
as she constantly called him, who, she was assured, 
could alone effectually help and comfort her, and would 
never leave nor forsake her. And under the influence 
of a stedfast faith, and lively hope in him, and in the 
cheering prospect of that eternal life, which God has, 

in and through him, promised to believers, she was now 
35 



274 LETTERS. • 

enabled to view, the certain, steady, solemn approach of 
death, with an undismayed heart ; and not only so, but 
with an ardent desire to depart, that she might be with 
her Saviour and her God. ^' Oh ! (said she, at differ- 
ent times, within the week before her death,) Oh, that 
the blessed hour were come ! Oh, that it might be this 
night ! or this moment, if it were the will of God ; for 
then I shall be happy, happy, happy." 

Two or three days before she died, when her physi- 
cian was feeling her pulse, she asked him, how her pulse 
seemed to beat. On his answering, " Quite strong 
yet ^" she expressed in her countenance much disap- 
pointment, aad said ; " I had hoped, that you could 
have told me, that it was quite weak and low." No- 
thing indeed seemed to afford her greater satisfaction 
and pleasure, than the intimation, that her time would 
be short ; and her greatest fear seemed to be, that she 
might not be able to hold out in the exercise of becom- 
ing patience, till her change should come. On the day 
before she' died, she asked me, whether I thought it 
would be wrong to pray for her speedy dismission. I 
observed to her, that it might perhaps be lawful thus to 
pray, provided it be with submission to the will of Godj 
and a disposition to wait for his appointed time. And 
on my inquiring, whether she really wished to go and 
leave all her friends, to whom she had been so strongly 
and tenderly attached here ? she replied ; " Oh, yes ; 
what are they all to me ; or what can any of them do for 
me now ? None of you know what I suffer ; and much 
less can you give me any relief: Oh," said she, point- 
ing to her breast, " I now feel the foretaste of death 
here." I then asked her, whether she still felt her heart 
fixed, trusting in her best friend, her Almighty and 



LETTERS. 275 

blessecl Saviour, from whom alone her help could 
come, and her mind at peace trusting in him, believing 
that he would be wi(h her, as her very present help, 
and all-sufScient Saviour, till he would give her the dis- 
mission for which she was longing ; and receive her to 
be with himself for ever ? she answered, "Yes! yes! 
1 have no doubt : but I am too weak to talk ;" and wav- 
ing her hand, she desired me to leave her. 

Within a few days before her death, when very rest- 
less under a burning fever, she said to the kind friends, 
whose looks and actions manifested the readiest disposi- 
tion to sooth and relieve her, as far as lay in their 
power ; " Ah, I am indeed suffering much, much more 
than any of you can imagine : but much rather would I 
suffer all that I endure on this bed of sickness, than be 
abroad in the world, in health, sinning against my God; 
for I do think that I love him sincerely.'* In short, her 
submission to his will, her approbation of all his methods 
of dealing with her, whether afflicting or comforting ; 
and her longing, desire to be with him, in a state of 
complete holiness, as well as of perfect happiness, mani- 
fested in the most satisfactory manner, that she was in- 
deed, born of the spirit ; made a new creature in Christ, 
and graciously prepared for that eternal glory in the 
presence of God, to which her heart so ardently aspired. 
And when, at length, the blessed /ioi«r of her departure 
arrived, few perhaps ever realized more fully the pre- 
cious import of those elegant, expressive lines, of the 
pious Watts. 

Jesus can make a dying bed. 
Feel soft as downy j)illows are ; 
Whife on his breast 1 lean my head. 
And breathe my life out sweetly there. 



^76 iETTERS. 

Oh, what grace was this ! How astonishing ; how ad- 
mirable the change which it efFecfs in the views and 
feelings of nature ! How wonderfullj are its power and 
influence displayed, in divesting life, naturally so sweet 
to mortals, of all its endearing charms; in disarming the 
horrid monster death, of its sting ; and in relieving the 
soul from all the dread, which it once felt, in the view 
of a change of worlds, and in spreading the brightest 
glories, over the prospects of eternity ! Surely the con- 
sideration of this grace, is well adapted to minister the 
most grateful, consoling reflections, amidst all our ten- 
der, affecting recollections, of dear departed friends, 
"who have been the happy subjects of it ; and to engage 
us to pray and hope, that it may in like manner, be made 
sufficient for us, to furnish us thoroughly for all the du- 
ties and trials of life, and to make us more than con- 
querors over the last enemy death, and to carry us 
triumphantly to glory ! 

ISAAC S. KE1TH» 



TO DR. F. 

CHAIlLESTO>f^ AUGUST 6, 1805. 
MY DEAR SIR, 

JL OUR very acceptable letter of two sheets 
folio, under date the 25th ult. I received through the 
hands of Mr. J. F. on the 2d inst. I have always 
found pleasure, and frequently improvement, in the pe- 
rusal of your letters. Those which I have lately re- 
ceived from you, have been peculiarly interesting and 
pleasing ; not only as they discover your own heart. 



LETTERS. 277 

warmly engaged in religion, and your efforts, zealously 
employed for the purpose of securing the blessings of it 
to others ; but as they furnish a great deal of informa- 
tion, which leaves no room to doubt, that the great 
cause which you and others are labouring to support and 
promote, is now succeeding and prospering in B. in a 
manner truly remarkable, and worthy of peculiar atten- 
tion. Let Zion's King have all the glory of his own 
work $ and let the hearts of his friends be encouraged, 
and their hands strengthened, to undertake and accom- 
plish whatever they find, and are called (o do, for the 
glory of his name, and the advancement of his interests, 
within the sphere of their influence. The account 
which you give of a number of the youth among the 
first families in your community, being awakened to the 
serious consideration of the concerns of their souls, and 
engaged in seeking an interest in the Redeemer, is tru- 
ly pleasing intelligence. They are the rising hope of 
the church. May many of them be raised up, and 
prepared, as the subjects of grace, and heirs of salva- 
tion, to be ornaments of a christian profession, the de- 
fenders and supporters of the gospel, and the honor- 
ed instruments of transmitting its blessings to the gene- 
rations which shall succeed them. The instance, 
which you mention, of the young lady, educated in this 
city, and now at home in B. having received her first 
religious impressions under one of my sermons, affords 
me a new occasion for admiring the grace of God, which 
employs the agency of the most unworthy of his ser- 
vants, for usefulness to those whom he is pleased to 
bless. If any good is done by my ministry, I surely 
know enough of myself, to constrain me to say, " Not 
unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but to thy name give glo> 



SrS LETTERS. 

ry, for thy mercy and thy truth's sake." The thought 
that my poor labours should be in any degree success- 
ful, in promoting the best, the immortal interests of my 
fellow sinners, is one of the most pleasing and delight- 
ful, that my heart can cherish. It is so, on account of 
the happiness which I feel in contributing to the happi- 
ness of others ; and as the name of the Lord is manifest- 
ly and peculiarly magnified and glorified, when good is 
done, by such an instrumentality as mine. Let the 
God of all grace, and the only Saviour be exalted ! and 
may I know and keep my place in the deepest humilia- 
tion at his feet I But whether I should allow myself to 
be much comforted or encouraged by this case, may in 
some measure depend on the event of this young lady's 
present serious concern. May He who has awakened 
it bj his good spirit, by means of his word, bring it for- 
ward to the most desirable and happy issue, in that re- 
pentance which is unto life, not to be repented of; and 
that faith in the Redeemer, which will be to the saving 
of the soul; and not sufter it to prove like the morning 
cloud, and the early dew, soon passing away ! 

I feel a very high gratification, in hearing, not only 
by your letter, but also through others which have been 
received here, that my young friend Mr. P, is so favour- 
ably received at B. and that in his public services, and 
in his private intercourse with the people, he has concil- 
iated general esteem, and promises so fairly to be use- 
ful in the most important of all concerns, those of reli- 
gion. I was well persuaded, that as his piety, talents, 
and worthy character, became more and more unfolded, 
in the course of an increasing acquaintance, he would 
rise in the good opinion of the religious, and the serious- 
ly disposed. May his blessed Lord and Master in- 



LETTERS. 279 

crease his graces and gifts, crown bis labours of love 
among you, with abundant success, in the conversion of 
sinners, in the edification of believers, and in the promo- 
tion of the establishment, growth, and prosperity of your 
infant church I In order to his being thus honored, I 
trust he will be kept humble ; still waiting in believing 
dependence upon his Lord, in whom all fulness dwells, 
seasonably receiving all needful supplies from him, and 
rendering all back to him in gratitude, praise, and cheer- 
ful, persevering obedience, and service ! The provision 
which you have made for his support, is in my view, 
all circumstances considered, an expression of the lib- 
erality of the people ; and to him, in his present situa- 
tion, it will, I doubt not, be adequate to his necessities, 
and entirely satisfactory. In short, I think he has great 
cause for thankfulness and encouragement, on account 
of the many agreeable, favourable and promising cir- 
cumstances attending his residence among you. May 
the Lord maintain and increase your comfort in each 
other; and multiply to you, respectively, the blessings 
of his love and his peace ! 

I thank you for the abstract which you have given 
me of the Constitutional Rules of your Church. I sup- 
pose they are suited to your circumstances ; and to me 
they appear to be generally good. I am particularly 
pleased with the article relative to the doctrines in 
which the Church professes her faith. The want of 
something of this nature in our own Constitution,! con- 
sider as a deficiency to be regretted : particularly as I 
think it improper, and likely to be productive of evil, 
that persons who do not believe some of the fundamen- 
tal, distinguishing doctrines of the gospel, should have 
a right to vote, in the choice of a pastor. The West- 



280 LETTERS. 

minster Confession of Faith, as a system of doctrine, in 
my opinion, is conformable, in all the great poinds, to 
scripture truth. Perhaps some objections may lie 
against a rule of the church, requiring it to be adopted, 
in toto, as a standard by which the faith of every per- 
son must be measured, in order to admission to church 
privileges ; and perhaps a more brief, comprehensive 
summary of fundamental, divine truths, might be sub- 
stituted in the constitution itself, as a measure more 
eligible, than that of an unlimited adoption of the West- 
minster Confession. But the adoption of such a stand- 
ard, more or less brief or full, I regard as a matter of 
importance to the purity of the church, and well adapt- 
ed to ensure its stability and prosperity, on the most 
solid and permanent grounds. 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



TO DR. F. 

CHARLESTON, JULY 6, 1803. 
MY DEAR FRIEND, 

1 HREE of your letters are now be- 
fore me, under dates June Ifth and 27'th,and July 1st* 
All these favours, be assured, have been very welcome 
to me and are very thankfully acknowledged. The 
kind notice which you have taken in the first especially 
of my present situation under a bereaving dispensation 
of Divine Providence, which has deprived me of a mul- 
tiplicity of the most desirable, and the dearest of social 
enjoyments and mortal comforts, and the sympathy ex- 
pressed by Mrs. F. and yourself, together with the 



LETTERS. 2^1 

consolatory reflections which you have su2;gested,have 
been truly grateful and soothing to me. It is a sweet 
alleviation of onr sorrows, to know that they are tender- 
ly shared by friends, and especially by christian friends, 
whom we esteem and love, and by whose prayers we 
may be helped to bear, and to improve them with a 
christian temper, to the glory of God, and our own spi- 
ritual benefit. I accept, with peculiar satisfaction, the 
friendly interest which you, and your worthy partner, 
feel in my concerns, and I will esteem it as a particular 
favour, to be still remembered by -you in your prayers. 
You are no doubt mutually sensible of, and thankful for, 
the happiness and the many advantages which you en- 
joy in a connexion the most endearing that can subsist 
between mortals on earth, and which is peculiarly in- 
teresting to those who are heirs together of the grace 
of life. Let every day's continuance of these precious 
comforts and blessings, serve to enliven your gratitude 
for them, and to unite your hearts in a more fervent 
love to the gracious Author of them. And remember- 
ing the changing scenes of life, "lean not on earth,'* but 
let your trust, your hope, your joy, with the supreme 
affections of your hearts, centre in the Lord your God 
and Redeemer, in whom alone they can find a solid and 
permanent support, and an unchangeable object, every 
way adequate, and altogether worthy I In him may 
you feel yourselves daily more and more blessed ; and 
through his grace with you, may you prove rich and in- 
creasing blessings to each other, to the dear children 
whom the Lord has graciously given you, and to many 
around you in the sphere of duty and usefulness, in 
which he has wisely placed youi 
36 



282 LETTERS. 

I cannot express to you, the satisfaction which I feel 
in the view which you have given me of the pleasing 
state of your infant church. Its beginning, though 
small, seems to be peculiarly promising. May its 
growth be rapid, and its latter end greatly increased ! 
The progress which you have already made, in associ- 
ating and organizing yourselves as a church, exceeds all 
the expectations which I had formed in your favour, for 
so early a period. Not unto yourselves, not unto your- 
selves, but unto the Lord, who has all hearts in his 
hands, and who gives to the counsels and conduct of his 
creatures, that direction and that issue which he pleases, 
let all the glory be ascribed ! And still remember, " that" 
the Lord is with you while you are with him." Where- 
fore> " be strong, and work" in his name and for his 
glory ; and doubt not that «^he will establish the work of 
your hands, and cause his work to appear among your- 
selves, and his glory to your children," and successors ! 

The Lord indeed seems to be beginning to do great 
things for you : particularly in disposing the hearts of 
some to join you, or to favour you,whose wealth and tal- 
ents give them an important influence in their stations 
in the world. The souls of all indeed, of the meanest 
slave, and of the greatest potentate, are in one view 
equally precious, as they are equally immortal, and 
equally liable to everlasting misery, and equally capa- 
ble of everlasting happiness, and will certainly suffer 
the one, or enjoy the other, to the extent of their re- 
spective powers through all the ages of eternity. But, 
undoubtedly when such men as Barnwell and Clay be- 
come the genuine disciples of the cross,and friends of the 
gospel, they are qualified, from their superror intellec- 
tual abilities and education, and from their worldly pos- 



LETTERS. 283 

sessions and preponderating weight in society, to do 
more than others, in supporting and promoting the Re- 
deemer's cause and interests in the world, I am happy 
indeed to hear, that you have the countenance and aid 
of such distinguished characters in your designs and ef- 
forts for the advancement of pure and undefiled religion, 
in your town and neighbourhood. May the Lord increase 
the number of such subjects of his grace, and champions 
of his cross, and more and more abundantly bless them, 
and make them blessings to the church and the world ! 

As to yourself, in respect to the difficulties which 
you feel in acting conformably to the obligations impos- 
ed by the new office in the church, with which you are 
vested ; I need only remind you that in the adorable 
Head of the church, whom you are called to serve in 
that station, all fulness dwells, and that from this you 
are to draw, according to your wants, by prayer and 
faith ; *and you have only to ask, believing, that you 
may receive abundantly from him who giveth wisdom 
and grace liberally, without upbraiding his supplicants 
for their necessities, or their unworthiness. 

Your promised abstract of your constitution, and 
your farther communications respecting your church 
and family, yourself, &c. &c. will be very acceptable to 
me. Write often and largely : but expect not measure 
for measure from me : as I am often, in my present soli- 
tary situation, solitary in a domestic and pastoral view, 
so much occupied with a variety of afifairs, unavoidably 
demanding my attention and my cares, that I find very 
little leisure for corresponding with my friends. Find- 
ing it impracticable to write to you last week, as the 
past Lord's day was our sacramental season, I desired 
Mr. Palmer to write in answer to your letter of the ITth 



284 LETTERS, 

June : and his letter, I hope you have ere this received. 
Assure yourself and Mrs. F. of the sincere esteem, 
and affectionate regard, and continued prayers of youv 
real friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 

JULY 7, 1803. 

P. S. I refer you to Mr. P. for information ref^pect- 
ing the state of things in our city, and in our church, 
&c. 

) I wish I could inform you that religion had become 
more lively among us. Some of our professors appear, 
indeed, to be a litlle revived ; and our assemblies in 
church, are much more full than they were a few weeks 
ago, even when they were collected in one house of 
worship ; as has been the case during Dr. H's indispo- 
sition, since Mr. C's departure for the northward. 

Here and there an individual is discerned among us, 
inquiring (he way to Zion, with the face directed 
thitherward. Ob ! to see multitudes flying to Christ, 
and crowding unto his church, like the doves to their 
windows ! Pray for us as a church : I would desire to 
do the same for you. May the Lord bless and keep 
you and yours ! i. s. k. 



TO REV. MR. p. 

CHA-RLESTOST, NOVEMBER 16, 180J. 

MY DEAR SIR, 

1 HAVE now before me, three of your favours, 
under dates, September 3, October 22, and November 
7. When I was about sitting down to answer the first. 



LETTERS. 285 

a letter from Dr. F. informed me, of tbe determi- 
nation of the Independent Church, in B. to pre- 
sent a call to you, inviting jou to become their pastor ; 
and that yon intended very soon to write to me on the 
subject. 1 then concluded to wait a little longer for 
your expected communication, which I accordingly, 
in a short time received ; and before! could find lei- 
sure for acknowledging ii, your last came to hand, 
through Mr. F. 

For all these favours, I sincerely thank you. While 
they excite ray sympathy, on account of some difficul- 
ties which you feel, Ihey have given me much satisfac- 
tion, as they express those exercises of heart, with 
which all real christians are more or less acquainted, 
and to which all others are entire strangers ; and as 
they give the desirable information that religion is still 
lively and flourishing, and apparently increasing in 
B. notwithstanding some unpleasant circumstances 
seem to threaten giving a check, or unfavourable 
turn to the good work which is going on among you. 

The difficulties of which you complain, appear io 
arise from three sources; your heart, your head, and 
your local situation. Those connected with the heart, 
although they are peculiarly painful and trying, may 
yet be considered as at the same time adapted to min- 
ister to you, much encouragement and conifort. What 
indeed can be more encouraging and consoling, than to 
find your case so fully corresponding, with that of oth- 
er disciples and followers of Christ, who have given the 
best evidence of their sincerity, and have been most 
distinguished by their spiritual experiences ? What 
think you of the view which the great apostle Paul 
has given, particularly in the 7ih chapter of his Epis-» 



286 LETTERS. 

tie to the Romans, of the state of his heart, as the seat 
of a constant warfare, between the struggling principles 
of corrupt nature, and ruling power of victoiious grace? 
And if you are travelling over the same ground, and 
engaged in the same confiict with him, though not with 
equal strength and success, have you not good reason 
to conclude, that you are in the right way, to the ever- 
lasting rest, and gloriou triumph, of the genuine follow- 
ers of when grace shall complete what grace has be- 
gun, and finish that salvation from sin and sorrow, in 
the partial experience of which, the redeemed are even 
now authorized, and frequently enabled to rejoice and 
sing, " I thank Qod, through Jesus Christ my Lord." 

^s to your head, seeming to be sometimes, as if it 
were made of block. I suppose you do not feel more 
stupid, or barren of sentiment, or slow at conceiving 
and arranging ideas, than Bunyan did, when he felt, in 
preaching, as if his head were tied up in a bag. Yet 
he preached and wrote too, eminently to the edifica- 
tion of believers, and the salvation of sinners. If it 
would be any comfort to you, I might refer you to oth- 
ers, and particularly to one with whom I am intimate 
}y acquainted, who have been much longer than you 
have been, groaning under the complicated difficulties 
of a disordered heart, and a blockish head ; and who 
have been often and often tempted, to think that they 
were out of their proper sphere, when attempting to 
compose sermons, or to preach the gospel ; but have 
been still, by some secret influence, which they could 
not wholly withstand, constrained to persevere in the 
work, however arduous, and however great their insuf- 
ficiency for it, of which they have been conscious. 
In short, those seasons, in which we feel most sensibly 



LETTERS. 287 

and deeply, the stupidity of our heads, and the per- 
verseness of our hearts, may be in the result, the most 
profitable, although at first, they may seem lo be the most 
unpleasant and unpromising. And this will certainly 
be the case, if at such seasoijs, we are emptied of self, 
and brought to seek more earnestlyj and to partake 
more largely, of that fulness, which dwells in Christ ; 
who is our light and life, our wisdom and strength, our 
sanctification and redemption, our All in all. 

In respect to your acceptance of the call presented 
to you by the Independent Church, I have already, as 
you observe, given my sentiments to Dr. F. and 
till I see substantial reason for altering my opinion, it 
must remain decidedly in favour of that measure. I 
would, indeed, apprehend, that your declining the ac- 
ceptance of the call, wouM have a tendency very un- 
friendly to that infant church, if not injurious to the 
great cause of the gospel in B. So far as I have 
light to guide my judgment, I think the apostolic ad- 
vice given with reference to anotlier case, may be ap- 
plied to you in this instance : " Let every man where- 
in he is called, therein abide with God." But my pa- 
per is filled : and understanding that you expect to be 
in this city, in the course of next month ; I willingly 
reserve what might be written, to the expected oppor- 
tunity of personal conversation Avith you, on the several 
subjects, on which you wish to have communication. 
You have no doubt heard of Dr. H's arrival, a few weeks 
ago. He has resumed his public labours, and his re- 
cruited health and strength, seem to be adequate to 
them. Mr. A. has also returned to D. 

With my best regards to Dr. and Mrs. F. &c. I am, 
affectionately yoursi 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



288 LETTERS. 



i^i 



TO DR. F. 

CHARLESTON', NOVEMBER 9, 1804, 

Mr DEAR FRIEND, 

As you have now come up to the terms of 
our correspondence, by favouring me with i/tree letters, 
viz. under dates August 16, October IT, and Novem- 
ber 3. I sit down, busy and lazy as I am, to scrawl a 
page or two to you, that I may wilh some sort of con- 
science, and confidence claim, in due time and succes- 
sion, three more of your friendly and good letters, 
which I always read with interest, and with the lively 
emotions of pleasure, mingled with a little seasoning of 
pain, on account of the trials with which you are exer- 
cised, chiefly in re«;ard to your infant church. But 
perhaps, I ought to feel as much satisfaction in what 
you write about these trials, as on subjects of a more 
asrreeable and pleasing nature. For the influence and 
effects of them, upon your «nind and conduct, seem to 
be on the whole, salutary and beneficial ; and perhaps, 
more so, than the comforts which are generally honor- 
ed with the name of mercies^ in contradistinction from 
afflictions ; which* however, divinely sanctified, and 
wisely improved, are frequently the mercies, for which 
our rvarmest praise is due. Whatever, in short, serves 
to bring; us out of self and the world, to draw us nearer 
to our God and Saviour ; to engage us to place a more 
unreserved, humble, stedfast trust in his wisdom, pow- 
er, grace, truth, and promises, and to constrain us, to 
<iast all our care upon him ; and resign all our wants 



LETTERS* 289 

and wishes, our plans and hopes, to his disposal, in the 
persuasion that he will invariably do what is right ia 
itself, and order the event which is best for us, and for 
his church : this must be mercy, this must be love di- 
i)ine, although sometimes our eyes may be so holden, 
that we discern not the friendly Providence, under a 
frowning aspect. However, I need not occupy much 
of this sheet, and of ray present time, in thus preaching 
to you ; for the tenor of your communications, admon- 
ish me, that you are, by that heavenly teacher, God 
the Spirit, at least as well, if not much better instruct- 
ed, on such subjects than I am myself. At the same 
time, I know, that both you and myself, have great need 
of further improvement in spiritual understanding, and 
wide scope for rich and comfortable attainments of 
christian experience. May we, under the teaching and 
discipline of the word and providence of God, accom- 
panied by the enlightening, sanctifying influences of the 
Holy Spirit, continually grow in grace, and in the 
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In 
proportion to this growth, in the spiritual life, will be our 
establishment, our peace, our usefulness, in the stations 
in which we are placed, whether these be attended with 
circumstances more or less comfortable or trying. 

My dear Jane and myself, have shared the joys of 
yourself and Mrs. F. on account of the Lord's good- 
ness and mercy to you both, in making her the living 
mother, of such a fine and promising daughter. Maj 
she, with your sons and their parents, be richly bless- 
ed in Him, in whom every blessing is treasured up, and 
through whom all our enjoyments descend from, and all 
our hopes must ascend to, the God of all grace. When 

the Son of righteousness, with a small portion of the 
37 



./ 



290 LETTERS, 

splendour of his beams, dispels the mists of sense, which 
a storm of adversity is apt to produce ; your faith will 
then clearly see that the sickness in your family, with 
which you have been exercised, and the disappoint- 
ment of your hopes from your crop, through the depre- 
dations of the caterpillar, and the desolating effects of 
the tremendous gale, with which our guilty country has 
been visited, are to be reckoned among your blessings, 
no less than your family comforts, and worldly pros- 
perity and enjoyments. And as to your particular 
church, why should you not be willing that it should 
have the same lot with the church generally in the 
world : that it should be afflicted and tried, and that in 
circumstances which seem to be all against it, yet pro- 
tected, supported, and favoured by its glorious Head 
and Saviour, it should live, gather strength, flourish, 
and triumph ? Only believe ; and believing, faithfully 
attempt your duty : then quietly leave the event with 
the Lord, and it will be such as will be most for his 
glory, and for the ultimate benefit of his friends, in their 
individual, and their church capacity. Should it ap- 
pear to be the will of God, that Mr. P. be removed to. 
another sphere of labour ; still let it be your motto ; 
*< The Lord will provide ;" and your encouragement 
and consolation, while endeavouring to be found with 
him, and waiting upon him, that he will not leave nor 
forsake you. At all events, persevere, while you have 
a beam of hope to cheer your spirits, and animate your 
exertions ; and in the mean time, let your temper and 
language be, " Behold, here are we, let the Lord do to 
Bs, as seemeth good unto him."^ 

* 3 Sam. XV. 26. 



LETTERS. 291 

Mr. p. who just called upon us here in Charlestons 
last week, seems to be as yet undetermined, whether it 
will be his duty, to remain with you, or to remove to 
Dorchester. I hope that he will be directed by unerring 
wisdom, to the right conclusion. And if that conclu- 
sion could be formed within a short time, it would be 
desirable, as a mean of settling his own mind, and giving 
those churches a greater freedom and decision, in pur- 
suing the measures suited to their circumstances and 
prospects. 

I sincerely sympathize with the family and connex- 
ions of Mr. E. and also with your infant church, on ac- 
count of their afflicting loss, sustained by his death. 
But let us be thankful for the consolatory hope, that he 
has died in the Lord ; and that the Lord lives to pro- 
tect, support, and bless his friends, and the church, on 
earth. 

A visit to Beaufort, if all circumstances could be 
agreeably arranged, would be highly gratifying to Jane 
and myself ; and we feel ourselves much obliged to 
you and Mrs. F. and other friends around you, who 
have so warmly expressed the desire to see us among 
them, and the disposition to facilitate our journey, and 
to make us feel so much at home in Beaufort. But af- 
ter thinking and talking awhile on the subject, we could 
not find freedom to determine, in favour of this measure, 
for the present season ; and have therefore, for some 
time, given up every idea of it, till a more convenient 
season shall seem to oflfer; *' A man's heart deviseth 
his way : but the Lord directeth his steps." May we 
ever so acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, that we 
may find him graciously directing us, in the path of du- 
ty and peace, in the way of life everlasting ! 



292 LETTERS. 

Having no prospect of seeing Beaufort this fall or 
winler; it is with much pleasure, that we hear of Mrs. 
F.and jourself, &c. being expected in Charleston, next 
month. We shall be happy in waiting upon you both; 
i.e. according to the New England sense of that phriise, 
at our own house ; where we hope to be favoured with 
as much of your company, as it will be convenient and 
agreeable to yourselves, to allow us. 

The news of the city, &c. I suppose you receive, 
by the public prints, and by other correspondents than 
myself; to which accordingly, I refer you, and thus 
save myself and you, the trouble of expending this te- 
dious scrawl. I think it may, as to quantity, be consid- 
ered as nearly an equivalent, to three folio, and seven and 
an half quarto pages, received in the three letters from 
you, to which it is to serve as an answer. Thus I am 
in a degree relieved from an oppressive sense of obliga- 
tion, for favours, which otherwise might seem to be not 
duly acknowledged, or filly reciprocated : and now I 
hope you will not think any more of altering the stipu- 
lated terms of our correspondence, viz. three for one ; 
nor feel it a burden to fulfil a task, which is only on your 
part, the discharge of a reasonable duty, and which on 
my part, h'ghly gratifies, at once, my friendship and in- 
dolence, neither of which has in any degree decreased, 
since our correspondence commenced. 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



LETTBRS. 293 



TO REV. MR. P. 

CHARLESTON, SEPT. 17, 1805. 

BEAR SIR, 

When I received yonrfavour of July 8tb,l was 
disposed, and almost resolved, to answer it by the re- 
turn of the conveyance which brought it to me. 1 do 
not now distinctly recollect the circumstances, or the 
considerations which prevented my good intention being 
carried into execution. But 1 suppose that they were 
such as appeared sufficient, to one that is too lazy, if not 
too good naturedf to examine very strictly and severely, 
the reasons which are allowed to restrain him from doing 
the good which he would, in cases that are not suppos- 
ed to be of the first importance or obligation. And as 
the heart of one lazy mortal, answers to that of anoth- 
er, as well as the reflecting image of a face in a glass 
does to its original, I suspect, that while you may be 
ready enough to complain of my negligence, and to 
make a cloak of it for covering your own, you are se- 
cretly glad that 1 did not write so soon as I intended ; 
because you have in the mean time, felt yourself out of 
my debt, and consequently relieved from those pecu- 
liarly unpleasant sensations and refiectiojis, which must 
frequently disquiet those, who have some conscience^ 
connected with much indolence, and would therefore, 
rather forego a pleasure, than submit to the labour and 
trouble of repaying it. If I am wrong in thus suspect- 
ing you, you will feel yourself bound to set me right, 
by improving an early opportunity for sending me a 



294 LETTERS. 

long letter, and shewing how much more forward and 
punctual a correspondent you are, than I take you 
to be. 

Your detention, on board the packet, during the 
sabbath, on your return to Beaufort, must have been 
a trial to your feelings. But sometimes a suspension 
from our work in the season, or in the place, in which 
we would be employed, may be useful as a correction, 
for former remissness in it, and as a stimulus to increas- 
ed fidelity, diligence and zeal in future. And whatever 
trial, serves to call into exercise, and so to manifest and 
strengthen faith, patience, submission, with other dis- 
positions of the christian temper, is doubtless beneficial 
and desirable. I hope that you have been favoured 
with the continued enjoyment of your health, through 
the summer ; and that, as your congregation is larger 
in the summer season, you have laboured with more 
extensive success, in your enlarged sphere of action 
and usefulness. If so, it may not be necessary that you 
should clearly see all the desirable fruits of your la- 
bours. Then perhaps, " pride might rise and swell," 
as if you were somewhat, and could do something. 
Whereas, according to the observation of a pious and 
worthy divine : " So much humility, so much grace 
have we :" and undoubtedly in the degree in which we 
can say from the heart. Not I, but the grace of God 
with me ; so much better are we prepared for honor, 
success, and acceptance. 

The information which you have given me of Col. 
B's christian charity, zeal, and commendable labours, 
in the great cause of our blessed Redeemer, serves to 
confirm the favourable opinion, which I had formed of 
him, and to increase my esteem and regards, which he 



LEfl-ERS. 295 

had conciliated, as a man of superior talents, and as a 
worthy disciple of the most honorable, and the best of 
Masters. I trust that he will never be ashamed of his 
Lord and Saviour, or of his gospel ; but that he will, 
with his increasing knowledge and experience, more 
and more glory in the cross of Christ ; and sure I am, 
that he will never repent of any worldly honors or 
interests which he has renounced, of any self denial 
which he has exercised, or any labours of love which 
he has performed, or christian principles, with a view 
to the glory of God, the best interests of his fellow men^ 
and the final salvation, and everlasting happiness of his 
own soul. Oh that we had thousands more added to 
our churches, like minded and qualJQed by natural 
powers, by education, by rank and influence in socie- 
ty, and by grace to support and promote, the most im- I 
portant and the best of causes ; the cause for which 
the Son of God laboured, suffered and died on earth, 
and for which he is continually employing all the hon- 
ors and powers to which he is exalted on his mediato- 
rial throne in heaven. But, for our consolation, it be- 
comes us to remember, that whether the wise, the 
learned, the rich and the great, approve or condemn, 
assist or oppose, this cause will be maintained, and will 
prosper and triumph. Alas ! that in any place where 
it has been at any time successful, it should ever again 
decline ! But so it has been, among others, so it seems ' 
to be in some degree among you ; and so it is, per- 
haps, more manifestly and lamentably among us : in 
consequence of human infirmity, of Satanic subtlety 
and malice, and of the corrupting, pernicious influence of 
worldly things. May the Lord have mercy upon Zion, 
revive his work; and display his glory, in every part of 



29^ LETTERS. 

it, and hasten the tiaie when it shall be established, and 
become a praise in all the earth ! 

With love to all friends around joii, we are sincerly 
yours. Adieu, affectionately, 



SAAC S. KEITH. 



6-J^^ 



TO DR. 



CHARLESTON, DECEMBER 3, 1805i 

MT DEAR FRIEND, 

JL ou deserve credit for your attention 
to, and knowledge of, the human frame, corporeal and 
mental. If 1 mistake not, for I am very ignorant re- 
specting the arts and mysteries of the medical profeS' 
sioHf it is the practice of the faculty, sometimes to 
cure one disease, by inducing, or stimulating another, 
not reckoned so dangerous. So you, having discover- 
ed that an indolent habit, is one of my moral maladies^ 
that has assumed a menacing aspect, have with admira- 
ble art and skill, applied that wonderfully penetrating^ 
and stimulating oil of flattery, to another morbid prin- 
ciple in my ^y si em, my vanity : wisely judging, that 
if this can be sufficiently excited, the other will be ab- 
sorbed, and lost in this, and that this also may ere long, 
spend itself by its own natural evaporation. Let these 
learned observations be considered as designed, if they 
are not so well adapted as you might wish them, to 
convey an ingenious compliment to you, in return for 
the very genteel and handsome compliment to myself, 
which fills the first paragraph of your last letter to me, 
under date the 27th ult. 



LETTERS. 297 

Now let ine go on wifh the plain careless language, 
which best suits a dull and lazj creature, to whom 
invention and the labour of polishing, are exercises too 
burdensome and oppressive, to be long submitted to. 

With jou, I wish, that by some means or other, eith- 
er by our own resources, or some funds of sacred and 
pious destination, both you and myself, could obtain 
abundantly larger supplies of those excellent little 
pamphlets, to which you refer, for charitable distribu- 
tion. I think, that to many of those to whom they 
may be handed, they are well adapted to be useful, 
and in many cases, it is to be hoped, that they are pro- 
ductive of good effects, far surpassing their pecuniary 
Talue. In this way, as well as in many others, I per- 
suade myself, that I would do more good, than I do, or 
than I well can. Some people, I believe, suppose my 
Dieans to be much more ample than they are. For the 
worldly possessions, with which I am intrusted, I de- 
sire to be fervently thankful to a most kind and boun- 
tiful Providence; and to the glory of the giver, the 
great Lord of all, I would willingly improve them. 
With respect to provisions and accommodations of a 
pergonal and domestic nature ; I do not allow myself 
to indulge in expenditures, which would involve the 
reality, or the appearance of luxury or extravagance. 
And yet, for a number of years past, the whole of my 
income, and sometimes, more, has been expended. If 
any of it has been employed to the purpose of doing 
good : that portion of it, I consider as the best improv- 
ed and enjoyed ; and not unto me, but unto the God 
of all grace, from whom coraeth down erery good gift, 
who furnishes the means, and forms the disposition for 

usefulness, be all the praise and glory. 
38 



-yS LETTERS. 

While I lament with you, the truly deplorable state 
of religion, in and about Boston, Sec. it is pleasing to find 
our common worthy friend, Dr. M. so nobly con- 
tending for the faith once delivered to the saints, in his 
performance called, " True reasons ;" and I have been 
ojuch gratified with the perusal of four numbers of the 
periodical work, entitled the Panoplist, &c, in which, he 
no doubt takes an active, and important part, with a 
number of able and zealous co-adjutors. I wish this 
work could be extensively circulated among us. But 
alas ! for want of an agent, qualified, and willing, and 
having time, &c. for obtaining subscriptions, delivering 
the pamphlets, and collecting the money, Sec. I fear 
that they will be seen and read here by only a very 
few persons. I mean to write to Dr. M. shortly, 
if Providence permit ; and I mean to order some more 
of the best small tracts, &;c. on my own account, for 
charitable distribution ; and when received, perhaps I 
may send you a few of them. You and I, as I think, if 
we were together, would in many cases and respects, 
harmonize in counsels and measures, for doing good : 
though perhaps, as my passions may be a little cooled 
by the chilling hand of time, I might not be found will- 
ing to go as far as your fervor would carry you, in 
combating the mistaken zeal of some people, who pro- 
fess to be, and some of whom, it is to be hoped, are 
really serving the same great and all important cause, 
in which, as we hope, we ourselves are engaged. I am 
glad to hear that MrSc B. has found so much satisfaction, 
in the " Friendly visit to the house of mourning,^' Af- 
ter perusing that excellent piece, nothing that I could 
write, would be worthy of her attention. But the best 
writings, or discourses of men, and indeed, the letter of 



LETTERS. 299 

the word of God itself, wiii not prove effect ual to com- 
fort those that mourn, unless accompanied by the en- 
lightening, sancJifjing, strengthening, and consoling 
agency of the Spirit of grace. This I doubt not our 
worthy friend has in some desirable degree, experienc- 
ed ; and she will, I trust, experience more and more of 
that heavenly peace, in the midst of worldly sorrows, 
and spiritual troubles, which God the Saviour, alone 
can bestow. Believing, and trusting, and hoping in 
him, with submission to his sovereign, holy, and bles- 
sed will, the soul finds ils proper rest ; which it will in 
vain seek and expect, in creature comforts, pnd world- 
ly joys. And when our most pleasing hopes from the 
creature, are blasted, and all the brightest scenes of 
worldly joy, are overcast with clouds of the deepest 
darkness ; still happy, unspeakably, are they, who, with 
the prophet, can say, " Yet will 1 rejoice in the Lord, 
and joy in the God of my salvation !"^ Lord, increase 
our faith, that, in every hour of painful trial, this may 
be our real, our sweet experience. 

And have you, my friend, at length, got down from 
the mount of comfort and triumph, into the valley of 
humiliation, and doubt, and fear ? Very well ! When 
you are there properly humbled, you will be more highly 
exalted than ever before ; or at least, more comfortably 
established in the persuasion, and the experience, that 
you are nothing, and that Christ is All. A christian, 
always rejoicing and triumphing, free from all anxiety 
and apprehension, about the state of his soul, or his title 
to glory, has probably, either some extraordinary labours 
to undergo, or peculiar sufferings and trials to endure, on 

• llabfik. iii. ir, 18. 



300 LETTERS. 

earth ; or is probablj, verj near (o that rest which re- 
rnaineth to the people of God, in the heavenly state* 
Yet, it is a most desirable thing, to have our calling and 
election, to eternal life, made sure to our own souls. 
For this, let us give all diligence ; and may the Lord 
add his blessing, which alone can give a successf(d and 
comfortable event to the means, and endeavours, which 
we are required to use. If I have any well founded 
claim, to the character of a christian, and to the hope 
of Heaven, I am surely one of the meanest, and most 
unworthy of the number of those who are so highly 
privileged ; and if I am finally saved, it must be as 
through fire. Oh what a debt of gratitude shall I owe 
for ever, to his grace and power, and how sweet and an- 
imated will be my song of praise, to the adorable au- 
thor of my being and redemption, and of all my mer- 
cies, through all the periods of a blessed and glorious 
immortality I ! 

Mrs. K. joins me in very affectionate regards to Mrs. 
F. and yourself, and in sincere prayers for her. 
Yours, very affectionately, 

ISAAC S. KEITH* 



TO DR. F. 

CHARLESTON-, FEBRUARY 15, 1S0&. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

1 HE newspapers of this morning, 
having announced the arrival again of Bythewood, re- 
minding me again, after having reminded me, I believe, 
more than once before, that I still remained in debt to 
you, for your long, and very good letter, under date 



LETTERS. 



301 



the 31 sf December, ultimo ; whicb, however, \sras a 
considerable titiie on its waj to me: so fhal, I believe, 
that it is not jet much more than a month since I re- 
ceived it. Apologies of the same tenor, if not of the 
same date, for my apparent negligence, I could easilj of- 
fer ; but even for that I have not now time ; and, there- 
fore, let it now sufSce to remind you of my former pro- 
posed terms of correspondence with you ; to which 
you, if not with the free and full consent of your mind, 
yet at least by your frequent practice, have testified 
your approbation, or your toleration. 

I feel very much gratified, and I desire to be very 
thankful, that you took in such good part, the hints 
which I presumed to suggest, on a subject, on which 
your church and your pastor, were mutually interested. 
If J know ray own heart, I cordially esteem and love 
both the parties in this case; and would most earnestly 
wish, that the interests and the conveniencies of both, 
might be so arranged and accommodated, as to be pro- 
moted, in the most perfect harmony, and to entire mu- 
tual satisfaction. What you say, by way of apology^ 
for, and in favour of, the church, I forcibly feel ; and 
having in like manner felt for its pastor, I now feel with 
peculiar satisfaction, the consoling considerations sug- 
gested in your letter, which authorize the pleasing hope, 
that the parlies concerned, who have had occasion for 
bearing with each*other, may soon find their respective 
difficulties and apprehensions removed ; and their mu- 
tual services to, and comforts in, each other, much in- 
creased and happily prolonged. As I only snatch a 
few fugitive minutes from the studies of Saturday, for 
scrawling this, I cannot now do what is in my heart, if 
I had leisure 5 but I can only, at present, commend you 
respectively, to the mstruction, direction, keeping and 



302 



l-ETTERS- 



blessing, of our coraraon Lord and Saviour, friend and 
benefactor. May he bless you all, and make you both, 
present and everlasting blessings to each other ! 

I am often tempted to wish that I were as rich as 
Croesus ; as I think, that I would then relieve your 
church, and all my friends from all their difficulties, aris- 
ing from their want of pecuniary resources. But I 
know who He is, that has the riches of heaven and 
earth at his disposal, and at the same time, loves his 
church and his people, individually, infinitely better 
than I do; and yet, for wise and good purposes, some- 
times places them in straitened and embarrassing cir- 
cumstances, and leaves them for a while, to pray and 
wait in faith and hope, before he gives them the desires 
of their hearts, or shews them, in all the desired evi- 
. dences and fruits, the favour and love which he cherish- 
es for them. He doth all things well : and all his dis- 
pensations towards your church are, as I trust, design- 
ed, and will be ultimately found, ordered and sanctifi- 
ed, to work most efilsctually for the good of those who 
belong to it, and who sincerely seek its good. With 
respect to what you say of the plan which yourself, and 
some of your friends have thought of, for serving the 
church by the purchase of lottery tickets, I can now 
only, in a general way, observe, that if the design of a 
lottery can ever be justified, or excused, it must be 
when the object is evidently an important good. Yet 
how far such a good may be attempted to be accom- 
plished by such means, may still be questioned. It is a 
subject, however, on which wise and good men have dif- 
fered. And what shall I venture to say, more than let 
him, that ventures In this business, take heed that he 
acknowledge God in all his ways, and that his glory be 
the great end at which he aims, and that he be so well 



LETTERS. SOS 

persuaded, in his own mind, as (hat he shall not con- 
demn himself, for the thing which he does. 

We have had in our family, since (he beginning of 
the present year, the deeply aflflicted widow of a cler- 
gyman, the Rev. J. W. of Connecticut ; who, in pursuit 
of health, was coming on to the southward, but died on 
the passage from Norfolk to this city. Mr. W. ap- 
pears to have been a very pious, zealous, active, and 
useful minister of the gospel ; and Mrs. W. has exhibit- 
ed the most satisfactory evidences of sincere piety, and 
of strong faith ; as well as of the most affectionate at- 
tachment, to her late excellent husband. She supports, 
indeed, a truly worthy and amiable character : and as 
she has consented to stay with us, as one of our family, 
till the weather in the spring, or beginning of summer, 
shall promise a safe, speedy, and comfortable passage, 
by water, to her four young children, and other friends | 
we cannot but consider her company, during these few 
months, as a most desirable acquisition to the society of 
our small family. 

Your cordial friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 

TO DR. F* 

CHARLESTON, APRIL 5, 180G. 
MY BEAR FRIEND, 

v>APT. h, delivered some few days ago, 
your favour of March 29th ; for which I return you my 
sincere thanks ; and by which I ought to be humbled, 
quickened and improved. If I am not thus benefitted 
by it, the fault will not be in your letter, but in my own 



304 LETTERS. 

heart ; which alas ! under the best means of culture, is 
often found as hard as the beaten high waj, and as un- 
productive, as the thorny ground. Oh ! that it were 
more tenderly injpressed, and suitably affected, by the 
expressions and evidences, of an higher degree of life 
and fervor in the hearts of my christian friends ; and 
that it may be effectualiy softened and fertilized, 
by the dew of heavenly grace, the influences of the 
spirit of grace, descending upon it, in rich supplies, ac- 
cording to its pressing wants ! As you feel for- your 
dear children, I think / /i«i;e often felt for the souls of 
my dear pastoral charge, over whom I am called to 
watch, as one that must give an account ; and for whom 
it becomes me to cherish the most tender solicitude, 
that I may give up my account of my ministry among 
them, not with grief, but with joy. But ah! in how 
small a degree do my warmest feelings correspond with 
the unspeakable importance of the trust, committed to 
me : how soon are those feelings checked and cooled, 
if not dissipated and lost, by a thousand vanities and 
little objects of earth and time, which are scarcely 
worthy of a moments attention, or a serious thought : 
and when they have their greatest influence, how fee- 
ble are the exertions to which they prompt, how small 
the good eff'ects which they produce ! Who ? Oh 
who, is sufiScient for these things ? What a consola- 
tion, that the humbled and the penitent, may in faith, 
come to a throne of grace, and to the God of all 
grace, by Jesus Christ, and hope to find mercy, and 
obtain grace in every time of need, and according 
to all their necessities ! May you and I more and 
more feel, how empty and how poor we are ; and 
find all our need, more and more abundantly sup- 
plied, according to the glorious riches of the grace of 



LETTERS. 305 

God in his beloved Son, and from that fulness, which 
dwells in Jesus Christ our Lord ! 

For a week past, we have had the Rev. Mr. B. of 
Tennessee, in our city. A leading object of bis visit, 
is to collect money for carrying on the benevolent de- 
sign in which he has been for some time deeply engag- 
ed, of educating the children of the Indians, of the 
Cherokee nation, and of civilizing and evangelizing, 
those poor savages. On the same errand, he took Sa- 
vannah on his way, where he met with very considerable 
success. Before he leaves us, which he expects will 
be in the course of next week, I hope he will be so far 
successful as to make it worth his while to have called 
upon us ; though he will probably receive much less 
aid from us than he would have done at some seasons, 
and in circiimstances different from the present. The 
times are now hard, worn the uncertainty of the state 
of things in Europe, and the stagnation of the sales of 
cotton, &c. here ; yet we have to shew away in all the 
dissipating scenes of vanity and indulgences of luxury, 
at an undiminished expense; while the calls of private, 
and public charity, are daily pressing upon us. Just 
before Mr. B. came among us. Dr. F. and myself, in 
compliance with the earnest request and recommenda- 
tion of the clergy of Philadelphia, had undertaken to 
collect what we could for the purpose of assisting in the 
accomplishment of that noble object of charity, the 
translation of the scri'ptures into the languages of In- 
dia ; an account of which you have no doubt seen in 
our newspapers ; and we had received several hun- 
dred dollars. Some additional contributions we might 
have received ; but a considerable part of what we 
39 



306 LETTERS. 

might have expected, will now, probably, be given to 
Mr. B. and much good may he do with it ! 

1 was speaking of Mr. B. and the object of his visit. 
He expects to leave town on Saturday for Dorchester, 
and on his way back to Tennessee. While in our city^ 
he has been instant in season, and out of season, not on- 
ly in receiving the free gifts of the benevolent and gen- 
erous, and the forced contributions of the selfish and the 
stingy, but in preaching the gospel to the white and 
the black, the free and the bond, the old and the 
young, the rich and the poor, the Independent Con- 
gregationalists, the Scotish Presbyterians, the Orphan- 
Mousey congregation of all religions, and noth- 
ingarian principles, the Episcopal Methodists, the 
Antipcedobapfists, &c. &c. &c. He appears to be a 
truly pious and very zealous man, and so far from spar- 
ing himself, he seems to be determined to spend and 
he spent, in the work and service of the Lord, and for 
the salvation of precious immortal souls. His preach- 
ing is on the extempore form, and very much in the man- 
ner of the Methodists, His delivery i^ fervent indeed, 
I may sslj, vehement ; and though his discourses reach 
from an hour and ten minutes, to an hour and twenty 
minutes, &c. yet after a few introductory sentences, his 
words flow with a rapidity, far surpassing what I have 
ever witnessed in any public speaker, and of which 
they who have not heard him, might form perhaps a 
tolerably just idea, if they have ever seen and heard 
the falls of Niagara. In the course of this torrent of 
eloquence, many expressions occur, marked with pa- 
thos and energy, and conveying ideas highly sublime, 
and deeply interesting and impressive ; but they pass 
so quickly, that the mind is left to regret, that it is not 
allowed more time to perceive their beauty, and feel 



LETTERS. 30i 

their force. I wish Ihat he and our worthy, good 
friend, (I shall not now name him, but you know him, 
and I believe we both esteem him as one of the most 
deserving, and modest, and diffident of the young cler- 
gymen of our acquaintance,) could meet, on middle 
ground, and there settle their wide differences, about 
pauses, and resting places, in the course of a sermon. 
But I suppose that if Mr. B. were to attempt, to rein in 
his imagination, his feelings, and his utterance, he would 
be in danger of making a baulk, or of turning entirely 
out of his way ; and I suppose that the greater number 
of those to whom he generally preaches, and among 
whom he appears to have been eminently useful, would 
not be gratified by any change in this respect, which 
in their view, might seem to be indicative of a declen- 
sion of life and fervor ! On the whole, I cannot but 
view him, as one of the best qualified, that I have yet 
met with, for sustaining the character, and fulfilling the 
duties of a missionary, in those spheres, where the 
labours of missionaries are chiefly employed. It^is how- 
ever, but a part of his time, that he employs in mis- 
sionary services ; for he has the charge of two Con- 
gregations, in Tennessee, bordering on the Cherokee 
nation : while he has been instrumental in collecting, 
and organizing several other churches in that country. 
His health has already been greatly impaired by his 
exertions, and exposures, insomuch, that at the age of 
33, he looks like a man of 45 : and if his labours, &c. are 
continued, as heretofore, his constitution must, erelong, 
sink under the pressure. But he seems to think that a 
man may do as much work in 2ifew years, as he might do 
in many ; and that if he accomplishes the work, which 
his Master has given him to do, it is no matter how soon 
he finishes it, and goes to his rest. So much for ihe 



308 LETTERS. 

master : I must not now allow myself, to omit mention- 
ing his servant, John : a young black man, who is aU 
so a preacher j and who has been preaching every day, 
and soiietimes more than once in the day, to numbers 
of his colour here ; among whom there are promising 
appearances of his doing much good. I invited hira to 
address (he black people, who usually assemble at ray 
house, at morning prayer, and in great numbers on Sab- 
bath mornings. He accordingly did so, yesterday, 
(Sunday ) morning ; and as notice had been communi- 
cated, before hand, a great crowd attended ; to whom 
he spoke on the subject of the wedding garment, it be- 
ing Sacramental Sabbath, in a manner, very solemn 
and impressive. His language was generally good, 
and correct ; his pronunciation scarcely marked with 
any peculiarity, such as might be expected, in one of 
his colour and station, and his voice remarkably clear, 
strong, and pleasant. His discourse, though not strict- 
ly methodical, or connected, was well adapted to his 
audience, and contained important doctrines and senti- 
ments, delivered with earnestness and propriety. It 
attracted great attention, and seemed to reach the 
hearts of many. He makes an excellent prayer ; and 
sings admirably well. In short, he appears to be a 
very sensible, well informed, modest, pious, zealous 
christian ; and well qualified, to be the minister of 
much good, to many, and especially, to those of his 
own colour. He at present belongs to Mr. B. who has 
the highest opinion of his character, in every point of 
view; and who, with the assistance of some friends, 
purchased him, for upwards of Jive hundred dollars, 
with a view of giving him shortly, his freedom. His form- 
er owner would not have parted with him, for double the 
above sum ; if it had not been, with this view, to his uK 



LETTERS. 300 

timafe freedom, &c. Our amiable and dear friend, 
Mrs. VV. who is still with us, when she saw the multi- 
tude cf black people collected, and iheir black brother 
rise up for the purpose of preaching to them, the gos- 
pel of Christ, our common Lord and Saviour, one of 
the glories of which is, (hat it is preached to the poor, 
could not suppress the tears of sensibility and joj ; 
and was much affected and gratified, by the whole of 
the services, and by all the circumstances of the occa- 
sion, so solemn and so intereslin<2;, and to her, so new, 
and uncommon. He is to address the black people 
again at my house tonsorrow. Does not this look like 
*' Ethiopia, stretching out her hands to God ;" and 
welcoming the divine Messiah, the desire of all na- 
tions ? "Let the whole earth be speedily filled with 
his glory. Amen I and Amen !" 

A church meeting, is to take place in our new circu- 
lar building, on Meeting Street, this day week, viz. 
Monday the 14th inst. When, I suppose, the day for 
opening that church, for public worship, will be ap- 
pointed, of which you will receive due notice ; that if 
convenient, Mrs. F. and yourself, may be present on 
that occasion. 

Capt. Lawrence, intimates that Mr. P. may be ex- 
pected here, by Bythewood, next trip. We have 
still, house and heart-room for him, and will be glad to 
see him, on many accounts ; and I have many things to 
say to him, that I cannot well write, either from lazi- 
ness, or want of time. 

Your very sincere, and affectionate friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 

N.B. For this last sheet, you are indebted to Mr. 
L's delay, and to a severe cold, which has kept me at 
home to day. 



310 LETTERS. 



>i'^^ 



TO MRS. S. W. 



CHARLESTON, JUNE 21, 1806. 

The kind, affectionate, and excellent letter of 
our verj worthy, and amiable, and dear friend, written 
chiefly at sea, and from day to day, during the passage 
from this port to New York, was received by us from 
the Post office, on Monday the 16th inst. And as^it 
conveyed some of the pious sentiments and refined feel- 
ings of your heart, and brought us (he pleasing informa- 
tion of your safe arrival at New York, it was most wel- 
come and acceptable to us. The pleasure which it gave 
us, we could not think of enjoying as exclusively our 
own, but have, on the principle of doing to others, as we 
would have them do to us, liberally shared with sever- 
al of your good friends here, by allowing them the pe- 
rusal of it ; and they have evidently shared with us, 
a peculiar satisfaction, in hearing that your passage was 
so short, as that of only one week, and that it was on 
the whole so agreeable. It is hoped that they and we, 
unite in sincere gratitude and praise, to the merciful 
preserver of men, and the munificent Benefactor of his 
people, for the favour of his kind Providence, in con- 
ducting you safely and comfortably, to the land in the 
city of New York : where, considering how short is the 
distance between that place and Farmington, and how 
apparently safe and pleasant would be the means of 
conveyance, compared with the length of the way, the 
tossings and the risques through which you had already 



LETTERS. 311 

passed, you must have felt yourself almost within sight 
of home. 

** While she surveys the much lov'd spot. 
She sn.»hts the space which li6s between. 
Her past fatigues are now forgot. 
Because her journey's end is seen. 

Thus, when the christian pilgrim views. 
By faith his mansion in the skies, 
The sight his fainting breath renews. 
And wings his speed to reach the prize." 

NEWTON, 3d Book, 58th Hymn- 

Since you left that " much lov^d spot/^ what 
changes have you seen, through what scenes have you 
passed, what trials have you felt, what mercies have 
you experienced ? Surely you will ever, with an adoring 
mind, remember the way in which the Lord thy God 
hath led thee in the wilderness, through which thou 
hast travelled, during these memorable months of thy 
life, in which he has been humbling thee, and proving 
thee, that he might discover what was in thine heartj 
which required correction or improvement ; see Deut* 
viii, and that he might give you such views of his holi- 
ness, wisdom, and grace, as were eminently adapted to 
try and to increase your faith and hope, your submission 
and patience, your love and gratitude, your peace and 
joy. Was not this, then, " the right way in which 
you should be led," the best way which could be chos- 
en and pursued, for the benevolent purpose of " doing 
you good at your latter end ?" Oh happy, thrice happy 
they, whose God is the Lord, even their God in cove- 
nant, their sun and shield, their guide and guard, their 
saviour and portion ; giving an all sufficiency of present 
grace, and crowning that grace with future, immortal, 
inconceivable glory ! And how high their privilege 



312 LETTERS. 

and satisfaclion, when they feel themselves authorized 
and enabled to rejoice, that the Lord their God and 
Saviour reigns; and that "their times are in his 
hands ;" persuaded, that *< he doth all things well," 
that "all his paths towards them, are mercy and truth," 
and that " all things shall work together for their 
good," Thus have you be^'n privileged and blessed! 
And how sweet have been the hsimiliations, and the 
transports of your soul, in the view, the hope, the as- 
surance of your being thus highly favoured of the 
Lord ! If my soul be yet a stranger to these views 
and hopes, to these exercises and consolations, yet 
would I rather, ten thousand times rather, be experi- 
liientally acquainted with them, than be the possessor of 
all the kingdoms of the world, with all the glory of them. 
For sure I am, that none but they, whom the Lord thus 
Condescends to honor and to bless, and whom his grace 
prepares and disposes to rejoice in him, as the God of 
their salvation, and as the Father of mercies to them, 
can be happy in this world, or in the world to come. 
But I must remember that I am not now writing a ser- 
tnon, but a letter. To return then, to the " much lov'd 
spot :" to your long^ desired home, after so tedious an 
exile from it, and such vicissitudes of trouble and of com- 
fort, as you have experienced, during the trying months 
of your absence, you were at length, as we fondly hope, 
graciously restored, within a few days from the last 
date of your interesting communications, sent on to us, 
immediately after your arrival in New York, The va- 
rious emotions with which your own heart, and the hearts 
of your friends, must have been agitated, on the occa- 
sion of your meeting again; the sweet satisfac'ions of 
tlie interview, and the painful sorrows, all revived and 



LETTERS. 313 

broiiglit back in full force to the wounded, bleeding 
heart, by the recollection, and the feeling of the mighty 
void, which the iMni isaud of death had made in Ihe 
society, and the comforts of the family, and the circle 
of friends, lately so full and so pleasing in enjoyment, 
and in prospect ; the high respect, affection, and con- 
solation, cherished for the memory of the departed 
husband, father, pastor and friend ; the gratitude rising 
to the God of the widow, and the Father of the father- 
less, for all the kindness which his providence has 
shewn to the bereaved ; the anxious cares and appre- 
hensions entertained for their future comfort and wel- 
fare ; and the soothing humble confidence, inspired by 
the promises of the covenant, that the Lord will pro- 
vide for, and never leave nor forsake those who trust in 
him : these, and such like emotions, experienced on an 
occasion so affecting and interesting, we can in some 
degree imagine ; but you, we know, must have realiz- 
ed them in a degree, which even your own ready, and 
fertile pen, cannot half describe* May every pleasing 
and painful sensation, every pious and worthy feeling, ex- 
cited and renewed, by your return to the scenes, once 
so delightful} now so greatly changed ; and all the 
circumstances which have attended your meeting wi(h 
your dear family and friends, be divinely sanctified to 
you and to them ; so that your Heavenly Father may 
be glorified in, and by you all, through Jesus, your Re- 
deemer, and your strength ; and so that your own best, 
your spiritual, and immortal interests, may be emi- 
nently promoted ! 

We expect that as soon after your return home, as you 
can find sufficient leisure, you will give us some account 

of these matters ; and tell us more about those worthy 
40 



314 LETTERS, 

and dear friends, concerning whonj you have told ua so 
much already ; and ihat jou will mention particularly, 
every one of your dear little children, and say some- 
thing about them, that will be gratifying to our feelings, 
and encouraging to our hopes. May our blessed, and 
dear Lord and Saviour, who gathers the lambs in his 
arms, and carries them in his bosom, take them into the 
arms of his mercy, press them to the bosom of his love, 
and bless them with his grace and salvation, and thus 
prepare them for his kingdom of glory ; to which he 
has already removed their excellent father, and where 
their amiable another, will in the time appointed, be 
admitted to join with him, and all the redeemed and the 
sanctified, to behold the glory of the Lord, their Sa- 
viour, to triumph in the praises of the triune God, and 
to partake of that fulness of joy, which is in his presence 
for ever ! " 

It was indeed, painful to my feelings, to leave you 
on board the brig, before the other passengers had comco 
But you know the imperious circumstances which re- 
quired my returning home. And I am now pleased 
with the very circumstances which then gave me pain : 
as the solitary hour which you spent in that unpleas- 
ant situation, furnished you with the opportunity of 
beginning your journal letter, and of expressing the 
feelings of your heart, in reflecting on the parting scene, 
which we find were in unison with our own, gloomy and 
depressed, in the prospect of the voyage before you, 
which in many points of view, would naturally be an- 
ticipated by you with anxiety and apprehension ; and 
also, from the experience of our own great and deeply 
regretted loss, when we were thus deprived of the pres- 
ence of a most valuable, and highly esteemed friend, 



LETTERS* 315 

tvbose countenance, conversation, and society, were 
HaWy bringing her nearer and nearer to our hearts, from 
the first evening, to the last morning of her residence 
in our family, " which seemed unto us but a few days, 
for the love we had for her."^ It was some consola- 
tion to find so many sharing in our love and regret, and 
best wishes for you. All your intimate acquaintance, 
seem to have become in a greater or less degree, youc 
real friends : they felicitated us, on the pleasure and 
the improvement, which your company was adapted to 
afTord ; they have sympathized with us, on account of 
the necessary separation, when it took place ; and they 
have rejoiced with us, for your own sake, and that of 
your family, &c. when they were informed of your 
liaving proceeded so far, and so comfortably, on your 
way homeward. Let not these observations, make 
your pride or vanity, " rise and swell :" but remem- 
bering who has made you to differ from, and to excel 
others, either in the qualifications of nature, education, 
or grace, be humble and thankful, and act as it becomes 
one who knows, that of them, to whom much has been 
given, the more will be required, by the great Lord of 
all, who distributes at his sovereign pleasure, to one 
servant, one talent, to another two, to another five, &c. 
and who will judge and recompense them, according 
to their neglect or improvement, of the trust reposed in 
them. 

Your sea sickness, was, we hope, ultimately favoura- 
ble to your bodily health, as all unpleasant circum- 
stances, and painful events are, or are adapted to 
be, medicinal and salutary to the soul. While that 

* Gen. xxix. 20. 



DIQ I/BTTERS» 

sickness, and your distance from the ordinances of ih^ 
sanctuary^ prevented your enjoying much pleasure on 
the sabbath; it is to be hoped, that your kind christian re- 
membrance of the church in which you had been lately 
a worshipper, and the pious ejaculations of your heart, 
which ascended to God on our behalf, and on the par- 
ticular occasion of our dedicating our new house of wor- 
ship to his service, were graciously accepted, and hap- 
pily instrumental, through the intercession of our di- 
vine Mediator, in drawing down the blessings of heaven 
upon us. After being providentially detained with us, 
till the day preceding that sabbath, many other friends, 
with ourselves, very much regretted, that you were 
not allowed to enjoy that sabbath with us, on the first 
occasion of our assembling in that edifice. Bat so the 
Lord ordered it ; and as he doth all things well, you 
and we should ever feel it, as our duty, and our interest, 
and our happiness, to say from the heart, the will of 
the Lord be done ! On the solemn and interesting oc- 
casion of our opening for public worship, that new, 
spacious, and handsome house, which we have builded 
for the Lord, we encourage the hope, that his presence 
was with us, that his blessing was upon us, that his 
peace was to that house, and that in the view of a num- 
ber at least, of the genuine worshippers there, it appear- 
ed to be filled with his glory. The building is estimat- 
ed, to accommodate with seats, including those in the 
gallery, about 1400 or 1500 people | and it is suppos- 
ed, that on the day on which the church was opened, 
there were nearly 2000 persons present ; and very many, 
who came to the house, went away for want of room. 
From the circular form of the church, when filled with 
worshippers, the audience appears, especially from th© 



LBTTEBS* 3,!T 

tiulpii, to very great advantage; although the inconven- 
ience of an echo, is (e]^ in some parts of the buildings 
On the occasion of opening this churchy the subject of 
Dr. H's discourse, was " Mine house shall be called 
an house of prayer for all nations.""^ The subject of 
my discourse, was, ** I will fill this house with glory. "f 
As the church has requested copies of these discours- 
es for the press, you may in due time, have an oppor- 
tunity of seeing, and reading them in print. They are 
to be harmoniously associated m the same pamphlet, 
prefaced with an historical sketch of the church, and 
some account of its former ministers. You, I doubt 
not, will cordially concur, with the friends of Zion 
here, in the pious prayer, that this house may long 
stand as a monument, to the praise of God our Saviour, 
through whose good hand upon us, the work has been 
carried forward4o the state, in which it is now fit for 
our use, at an expense of g50,0@d ; and it cannot be 
completed for less than ^10,000 more : and that in this 
house, the power and glory of Divine grace, may be 
richly displayed, in the conversion of sinners, and the 
edification of believers, through a long succession of 
generations. We should be gratified in hearing that 
the prospect for your bereaved church in Farmington, 
is brightening, and encouraging. When I began this 
sheet, I thought of resigning a large portion of it to my 
dear Jane, who could easily have filled it up, more 
agreeably perhaps, than it has been done by my te- 
dious scrawling. But she has been rather indisposed, 
and suffered a good deal from a severe headache, for a 
few days past, and says she does not yet feel in a letter 

* Isaiah Ivi. 7. f Haggai ii. 7. 



31S LETTERS. 

writing frame. She therefore begs that she may be 
allowed to reserve her intended communications, till 
we receive your promised letter from Farmington, 
which we now expect within a very few days. As I 
observed to you, while you were wilh us, so I have 
found it since you left us, that it seems as if a thousand 
things more should have been said to you, and by you, 
which were omitted while the opportunity was enjoy- 
ed. And so it is, in respect to this letter : lengthy as 
it is, I seem to have communicated almost nothing of 
what I wished to write. But after all that can be writ- 
ten and said, it is only in eternity, that the redeemed 
will have time for telling all their minds to each other, 
and shewing forth all the praises of the adorable Author 
of their being, and God of their salvation, and of all 
their mercies. In the mean time, let us, 

** Cheerful advance with grov.'ing strength, 
Till all shall meet in heaven at length ; 
Till all before his face appear. 
And join in noblest worship there." 

Pray for us, our dear friend. We endeavour to pray 
for you and yours, and you may rest assured, that 
you continue, and I believe ever will, to hold as high 
a place, in the esteem and affection of our hearts, as 
you could wish. That He who justly claims the su- 
preme and eternal love of all our hearts, may bless 
you, our very dear friend, abundantly and for ever, is 
the sincere language of the united hearts of your truly 
affectionate, 

I. S. AND J. KEITH. 



lETTERS. 319 



TG- 



CI-IARLESTON, JULY 11, 180G. 
MY DEAR FRIEND5 

r OR sometime past, I have been think- 
ing how long it waSp since I had received a letter from 
you. Reflecting on this subject yesterday, 1 began 
to apprehend, that I had written, or done something, 
that had made my friendship appear to you, in a ques- 
tionable shape, or at least, deserving of some correction, 
which you had resolved to irifiict, by maintaining this 
long silence ; which I assure you was sensibly felt by me, 
and at length I became, if not really humbled, at least 
so much mortified, and so uneasy under it, that I had 
almost determined to write to you, without having pre- 
viously received a line from you, and to ask, " What 
is the matter with you ? or. Wherein have I offended ?" 
When, lo ! to day I am again favoured with a good 
long letter from you, dated July 5, which has cleared 
up my doubts, banished my apprehensions, and fully 
satisfied me that your heart, though it seems to have 
been a little moody with some of the human race, and 
to have bad a little bickering with the world lately, has 
still continued to cherish sentiments of friendship, and 
dispositions of peace and good will, with my dear little 
Jane and myself. In this view, as well as in some oth^ 
er respects, your friendly communications, have given 
us both a great deal of pleasure : I am afraid to say, 
perhaps, more pleasure, than it would have given, if 
these crooked circuo^jstances bad not intervened ; for 



320 LETTERS. 

then you might be tempted to try the same means 
again, which perhaps, might not succeed as well again. 
For my part, what with ordinary affairs, and some im- 
portant extra business, in which I have been lately en- 
gaged, and what with an old inveterate habit of indo- 
lence, and the present relaxing heat of the weather, 
I have fancied and persuaded myself, that 1 have 
scarcely found time or leisure, for writing to you again, 
since I last wrote to you, which was, I know not when. 
And now, when I have taken up my pen, immediately 
after perusing your letter, in the hope of feeling my 
sluggish mmd usefully influenced and animated, by a 
sense of your kindness, still fresh upon it. I find that 
it is no easy task, to muster up a few ideas, to go along 
with the few lines, which I am scrawling. As you 
have studied anatomy, and the influence of the ele- 
ments, &c. upon the human system, I need not here, 
by way of apology for myself, stay to shew, how easi- 
ly the almost vertical and burning beams of the sun, 
at this season, may penetrate through a small mass of 
brains like mine ; and how soon they may scorch to 
cinders, the small seeds, or young shoots of thought, 
vegetating there, or evapomte them all into smoke and 
clouds. So, the less I have to say for myself, the more 
matter I may furnish for the employment of your ingen- 
uity, and scientific researches, and calculations, and con- 
clusions. And perhaps, on a similar principle, if I had 
only philosophical and medical, and especially chemical 
knowledge enough, I might account for the complexion 
of your letter, which is rather gloomy and querulous. 
In your more capacious cerebrum, fortified, with a bet- 
ter pericranium, the embryos of ideas, are not so easily 
@r so soon calcined, or dissipated ; but they may have 



LETTERS. 321 

SO far felt the calorific influence of (he sun, as to have 
been excited into a considerable fermentation, marked 
with strong acidities, and with loud and vehement explo- 
sions of perturbed sensibility : but, when the exciting 
cause is removed, this irritability, or irritation rather, 
of the nerves of the mind, will of course subside, and 
there will be a great, or a sweet calm. The sooner this 
important change takes place, the better. And as doc- 
tors generally, or at least, frequently, are the poorest 
physicians for themselves ; leaving you to prescribe to 
me, as you may find occasion : I shall now take leave 
to suggest a little advice, which may be useful to you. 
On the first day, after receiving this, on which you shall 
feel your spirits agitated and raised to a feverish heat, 
improve the first leisure hour, which you can command, 
and which you have a right to demand from those en- 
gagements with the world, which your situation re- 
quires, and which your religion sanctions, for the pur- 
pose of retreating to that charming shade, created by 
the Redeemer's banner of love, which he spreads over 
his friends, who are disposed to withdraw from the 
world, in order to enjoy communion with him, and un- 
der which they sit with great delight : there take up 
the glass of faith, which you will find lying ready for 
your use, upon the open volume of his word of truth 
and grace ; and placing this before your eye, out of 
which you have carefully cast every beam and mote, 
which would obstruct its vision, look steadily, through 
this, towards every point of the compass around you ; 
and when you have taken a deliberate survey of the 
world, and of your fellow mortals, " moving like shad- 
ows o'er the plain," then raise your glass towards the 

throne of your Lord 5 and though at first you may see 
41 



322 LETTERS. 

only clouds and darkness round about bim ; yet will 
you soon begin to perceive light shining out of dark- 
ness ; and in his light, you will see light sufScient to 
shew you, that he doth all things well, and that there 
is not a circumstance of your situation, or an event 
which befals you, by whatever secondary cause or 
agency produced, but what is ordered by infinite wis- 
dom, and sanctified by Divine grace, to work for your 
good. Before you are aware, you will find, that this 
sweet retirement, and this iateresting prospect, have 
cooled the fever of your mind, composed all its ruffled 
feelings and passions, and restored it to the enjoyment 
of a most desirable peace, such as the smiles of the 
world cannot give, nor its frowns take away ; a peace 
which your Lord alone can bestow, and which his chos- 
en and beloved friends, usually enjoy in the highest 
perfection, when they are most harassed and oppressed 
hy the tribulations, which they experience in, and 
from the world. Probatum est. 

Yes, my friend, I believe that you, and I hope that I, 
have often felt its sovereign salutary efficacy. But I 
think it probable, that you, as I know that I often stand in 
need of being reminded of this blessed remedy, this gen- 
uine catholicon ; and of being urged by much and impor- 
tunate persuasion, to try it again, especially when we are 
under an high worldly delirium, and are most incapable of 
j:udging what is best for us. This, I thin^lf, has brought 
me out of many an obstinate fit of pouting, or of the 
hypo, when I was not inclined to speak to any body, 
unless it was in pettish language, and when I wanted 
nobody to speak to me, unless it was in language that 
would flatter my pride, or encourage me in my ill hu- 
mour with the world, with which I was quarrelling, be- 



LETTERS. 323 

cause I thought it did not treat me as well as I deserv- 
ed. But, when I have not taken due pains to havemj 
eye cleared of prejudice, and self-love, which always 
form a foggy atmosphere, or to have the glass sufficient- 
ly brightened by the application of a leaf of Divine 
truth, I have been obliged to look the longer, ancj 
again and again, before 1 could well see, that while I 
was not what I ought to be, all things around rae were 
as they should be, arranged and ordered in the best 
manner, to impress upon my heart the lessons of heav- 
enly wisdom, to humble me under a consciousness of 
my own failings, follies, and offences ; and to recom- 
mend and endear to me more eifectually, the blood and 
righteousness, the love and grace, and friendship of the 
blessed Redeemer, as the sinner's best friend ; ancJthus 
to do rae good in the latter end. Such also, I suppose, 
has sometimes been your experience. From the ob- 
servations, indeed, which fill a page or more of your 
folio letter,' I suspect that many of the scenes in this 
path of life, which you have trodden, have been very 
similar to those through which I have passed, in my pil- 
grimage through the wilderness of this evil world. How 
often has it smiled and flattered, and made the fairest 
promises, when it has been preparing to give the vexa- 
ation and bitterness of the most mortifying disappoint-? 
ments ; but when aware of its deceitfulness, and refus- 
ing to trust to its friendship, we have taken the word 
and Spirit, and providence of God, for our guide and 
stay, we have then found the hostility of the world, 
made to minister to our welfare, and some of the keen- 
est pains which it had inflicted, turned into our sweet- 
est comforts. Let us then be cheered and encouraged, 
for the time to come. While we meet with so much 



324 LETTERS. 

vanity and emptiness, in so many of the things of the 
world, and of our fellow mortals who dwell in it ; lei us> 
be thankful for the few good things, and worthy, and 
valuable, and dear friends, which we enjoy in it ; and 
through all its varied scenes, let us walk by faith, and 
not by sight, leaning on our beloved Lord, whose ful- 
ness is always ready to supply all our wants, rejoicing 
in worldly comforts, as though we rejoiced not, and 
weeping under worldly sorrows, as though we wept not ; 
looking not at the things which are seen and temporal, 
but at the things which are not seen, and eternal ; firm- 
ly believing, and humbly exulting, in the persuasion, 
and the prospect, that " our light affiiction, which is 
but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding, 
and eternal weight of glory." 

I do not wonder at your feelings, after reading Or- 
ion's Life of Doddridge. The perusal of that volume, 
made me feel so humble, and gave me such a degrading 
view of myself, that I often almost blushed at the 
thought of claiming the christian character, which shone 
with so much of its native beauty and lustre in Dod- 
dridge, or of raising even a trembling hope to that 
heavenly habitation, where his happy spirit now dwells, 
triumphing in grace, perfected in glory. But some 
time afterwards, consulting with an old near neighbour 
of mine, Mr. Self, who, though I know him to be far 
from being as good as he should be, and have been, in 
many instances, shamefully duped and grossly injured 
by him, yet some how or other, possesses a most extra- 
ordinary influence over me ; he slyly insinuated, that in 
this admirable picture, which Orton has drawn of his 
friend, we have only, or chiefly, an exhibition of his ex- 
cellencies, which appear prominent and brilliant indeed, 



LBTTERSU 32S 

while Lis defects are kept wholly out of view, and are 
thrown so far into the back ground, as to be scarcely 
visible ; and he suggested further, that with such mental 
imbecility, as had fallen to my lot, it would be the ex- 
treme of folly, to attempt, to rival a man of such superi- 
or talents, as well of such pre-eminent piety : while 
he added, which I knew to be true, and which seemed 
to give a plausible, pleasing air of truth to all the rest, 
that my bodily frame, especially in this debilitating cli- 
mate, would have long ago sunk into the earth, from 
which it was taken, under one fourth part of the labours 
which the pious, the benevolent, the zealous, the inde- 
fatigable Doddridge, sustained. But if this same Mr. 
Self, should ever come in your way, I advise you to be 
very cautious in your intercourse with him ; for though 
he shews, at first, a very friendly, prepossessing coun- 
tenance, and possesses an eloquent, persuasive tongue ; 
yet, trust not to these flattering appearances, nor be- 
lieve his much fair speech ; for he will deceive you, 
and do you a mischief, where he seems to intend you a 
kindness. Avoid him, therefore, as much as possible, 
and as often as you meet him, turn immediately from 
him, and go, and do like Doddridge, as far as you have 
ability and opportunity ; or, at least, nobly try to be a 
follower of him, as he was of Christ. 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



i^iiri 



TO MRS. W. 

CHARLESTON, AUGUST 14, 1806 

*'As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news 
irom a far country ;" and so grateful and refreshing to 



320 LETTERS. 

our spirits, was the excellent letter of our Iiighly es-» 
teemed, and very dear friend, of the 23d and 24th of 
Julj ultimo, which we received on the 11th inst. For 
some time past, we sent to the Post-office, as often as the 
Eorthern mail arrived ; but still found nothing there for 
us, from Farmington, but disappointment. For this, 
indeed, we may chiefly thank ourselves ; since, if we 
had consulted our judgment more, and our feelings less, 
we could not have allowed ourselves, to indulge any 
very sanguine expectations of a letter from you, much 
sooner than we were favoured with the one above men- 
tioned : and I am truly sorry, that an intimation, drop- 
ped by my unguarded pen, on that subject, should have 
given a moment's pain to your feeling heart, on account 
of your not being able to gratify our expectations, so 
soon as we and you also wished. The peculiar circum* 
stances of your situation, after So long an absence from 
home, and so great and afflicting a change in your fami- 
ly, and your having, since your return, such a multiplic- 
ity of affairs, and the almost incessant calls of so large 
a circle of kind and sympathizing friends, to occupy 
your attention, would have formed a sufficient apology, 
for even a longer delay of your much desired, and much 
valued, communications. And even when our affection- 
ate wishes, became almost impatient to hear from you, 
still would not our hearts cherish, for a moment, the 
thought of attaching any blame to you ; for we were 
aure, that your heart was not in fault. No, indeed ; 
never have we, in a single instance, been inclined to 
call in question, the sincerity, the affection, the good 
will, of your friendship for us ; while we have felt and 
regretted our inability to make due returns for if, in all 
those refined satisfactions, and important benefits, which 



LETTERS. 32T 

christian love delights in conferring, and would offen 
communicafe in a measure far, very far beyond its 
power. In the present case, if any of us have been 
blameable, it must be ourselves, rather than you ; as 
your second letter from New-York, which came, I be- 
lieve, by Capt. R. and which we did not receive till 
some time after our letters were written to you, has not 
till now been mentioned. And the reason of this was, 
that we were then looking for another from you, and 
meant to take notice of both together ; and thus, at the 
same time, to avoid unnecessary postage, and to spare 
some labour in writing ; and you know, how agreeable 
to us, are all labour saving plans, and measures, in tbi^ 
warm, and relaxing climate. And much of this summer^ 
has been unusually warm, though still very healthy in 
the city, and very favourable to the crops in the 
country. 

Your labour in writing, in a climate much more fa- 
vourable, both to bodily and mental exertion, you may 
consider as most agreeably compensated to you, by the 
pleasure, and the instruction communicated to our- 
selves, and some other friends, who have been favoured 
■with the perusal of your last, as well as of your former 
letters. After such a remark, shall I now be allowed 
to intimate, that there is any thing in your last letter, I 
mean as to sentiment or expression, that is not pleas- 
ing ? Perhaps, rather, I should say that ought not to 
be pleasing ? For, should I be pleased with flattery ? 
It was not, I am sure, your intention to flatter. But, 
ah ! my friend, yielding only to the impulse of your 
own grateful, benevolent heart, and not sufliciently 
aware of the vanity and selfishness of mine, you have 
incautiously indulged in a language, about as well adapt« 



328 LETTERS. 

cd to preserve and promote that bumbleness of mind, 
which is one of the first dispositions of the christian 
temper, and brightest ornament of the christian charac- 
ter, as a lighted match would be to secure gunpowder 
from an explosion. Yet, o^ the whole, what seemed 
in itself, not surelj so designed by you, adapted to do 
me some harm, may, on the contrary, be productive of 
much good ; if it shall lead me to reflect, how fallible a 
criterion of our character and state, is the opinion of 
our fellow mortals, while prejudiced enemies, censure 
and condemn, without knowledge or mercy, and partial 
friends approve and commend, beyond all truth and 
reason; if it shall admonish me, to consider how much 
better we should be, if we were even as good as we some- 
times appear to be, in the view of the kind friends, 
whose charity for us is such, that they can scarcely 
think any evil of us ; and if it shall serve to remind me, 
how inestimable is the privilege of all real believers, who 
would do good, while evil is present with them ; and who, 
on account of that evil, cannot do half the good which 
they would, in having a divine Redeemer, mediator^ 
high-priest, and advocate, who is the Lord, their right- 
eousness and strength ; who can be touched with the 
feeling of all their mfirmities, who ever liveth to make 
intercession for them, and who, through his own aton- 
ing blood, justifying righteousness, and infinite merits, 
presents their persons and services, notwithstanding all 
their failings and imperfections, with acceptance to the 
most holy, and the most gracious God. Are we united 
by a vital faith to this adorable Saviour ; and are we 
complete in him, in whom all fulness dwells? Oh! how 
precious should he be to our souls ! how deeply should 
we be humbled, on account of living so little by faitfe 



LBTTERS. 329 

in him, and in (he promises of his gospel : and how 
much more should our souls be animated, with the fer- 
vent desire, and holy ambition, of having that mind in 
lis, which was also in him, and of being conformed to 
that perfect and amiable example, which he has left us, 
that we should follow his steps! Lord increase my 
faith, that the proper fruits of it, in love to God and 
man, of pure, disinterested, active, beneficent love, may 
more abound ! 

And now, what were the kindnesses shewn, or the 
services done, to our worthy and dear friend, for which 
she feels and expresses so much gratitude ? If we were 
instruments of any comfort, or benefit to you, this was 
altogether in consequence of the Lord's designs of mer- 
cy and love to you ; who, having all hearts in his hands, 
inclines every one to do for his people, just what he 
Lath purposed and determined in their favour. If, on 
the principles of humanity, directed and sanctified, as 
we would hope, by the benign spirit of the gospel, we 
received you, in the first instance, as an afflicted 
strans^er, to whom, in all cases, compassion should be 
shewn; in the course of the first evening, and much 
more in the course of the succeeding Lord's day, and 
still more so the longer you remained with us, we were 
constrained to receive you, as one whom our Lord had 
honored, with the distinguishing tokens of his love and 
favour, and had sent to us with some special recommen- 
dations, reminding us, that whatever kindness, in the 
spirit of christian love, we might shew to you, he would 
graciously consider and accept as done to himself. In 
such a case, christian sensibility/ could not, for a mo- 
ment, be at a loss, or hesitate, in determining what was 

to be done. And though christians, conscious of acting 

42 



330 LETTERS. 

on christian principles, may have respect, to that future 
recompense of reward, which their Lord has promised, 
for their support and encouragement in the way of well 
doing, without being liable to the charge of selfishness, 
nay, with a double regard, to the honor of their Lord ; 
yet, in this instance, all the little which we did for you, 
in compliance with the intimations of his will, was, as 
far as we could desire for the present time, most agree- 
ably repaid to us, by the satisfaction which we felt, in 
lov ing, and by love, serving one of the dear children of 
his family, and fellow-members with us, of the house- 
hold of faith, if to that sacred society, we indeed be- 
long ; and by the pleasure and improvement, which we 
found in the society and conversation of one, whom di- 
vine grace had eminently qualified, and particularly in 
the school of affliction, to be an useful instructor and 
example to us. How much reason, however, have we 
to be ashamed of ourselves, when we think, that the 
season of your stay with us, passed away so rapidly, 
and left us so far in arrears, with respect to the payment 
of the debt of love, which we owed you ; and so little 
benefitted, in respect to the improvement which we 
Blight have received from you, and from the providen- 
tial dispensations, which placed you with us, during 
those short months, as one of our family I But what is 
the season, which we have ever enjoyed, or what the 
providence of which we have been the subjects or the 
witnesses, when it is passed, and when we reflect on 
our conduct respecting it, which will not appear, to fur- 
nish us with abundant reason for smiting on our breasts, 
and crying, " God be merciful to us, sinners !" 

After the account, which you gave, in your first let- 
ter from home, of the state of your feelings, under the 



LETTERS. 331 

pressure of the kindnesses of friends, and the heavy 
load of family cares, which joii h^ve now to bear, with- 
out having it now in your power, to resort to the ad- 
vice, the sympathy, the assistance of that dear com- 
panion and friend, on whose judgment, affection, and 
supporting arm, you have been accustomed to lean with 
so much satisfaction and confidence ; we might almost 
have expected to hear in your next, that you had be- 
come " quite sick," as we find, indeed, that you have 
been. We are, however, pleased to find, that your 
humble and firm confidence in God your Saviour, your 
everliving, almighty, all-sufficient, and unchanging 
friend, had been so happily maintained, under all your 
trials ; and that you were so soon restored again, to a 
comfortable measure of health. The affecting solem- 
nities of the scene which immediately followed, when 
the funeral sermon was preached, must have proved a 
severe trial to your faith ; which, we doubt not, was 
found unto praise and glory. The honor done to the 
memory of your late worthy husband, connected with 
the respect shewn to yourself, in all the circumstances 
attending that solemn and tender occasion, while they 
could not fail, in some respects, to open afresh, the 
bleeding sorrows of your heart, must, at the same time, 
hav« served to minister also the balm of consolation, 
adapted to sooth the wound, until it shall be more ef- 
fectually healed, by the hand of that heavenly physi- 
cian, whose office it is, and in whose power alone it is, 
" to bind up the broken-hearted, and to comfort those 
who mourn." As soon as the sermon is printed, I hope 
you will remember to send us a copy of it by post, that 
we may, by the perusal of it, share in some degree, in 
the satisfaction and the iuiprovement, with which it was 



332 LETTERS. 

generally heard, by the very numerous and respectable 
assembly to which it was preached. The attendance 
of more than thirty ministers, on the occasion alluded 
to, was a most pleasing circumstance ; and it shews, in a 
striking and impressive light, not only how highly the 
memory, of an able, faithful, and useful minister of 
Christ is horjored, by those who were best acquainted 
with his worth, and the importance of his services ; but 
how greatly your country is favoured, in having so 
many men of God, employed in the work of the gospel 
ministry, and so generally dispersed among the people, 
as the salt of the earth ; while the spheres of their be- 
nevolent and useful labours, are so near together, that 
like a constellation, they shed a lustre upon each other, 
and contribute to make the whole number, and every 
individual composing it, shine more brightly, as the 
lights of the world. " Oh ! how good and how pleas- 
ant it is, for brethren, whether few or many^ to dwell 
together in wm7^." And oh ! that the gloomy regions 
along the seaboard of our Southern Slates, might be 
speedily gladdened with such a sight, as your State 
often exhibits, in those numerous and harmonious asso- 
ciations, of the ministers of Christ. It would be a cir- 
cumstance, adapted to give greater joy, than the joy 
of harvest, than all the worldly riches and luxuries of 
the south, can afford. 

From your account of Mr. P's talents and qualifica- 
tions for the work oi the ministry, I cannot but wish 
to hear of his being, in due time, settled in the pastoral 
charge of so respectable, and important a branch of the 
church, as that at Farmington. But the great Head of 
the church alone knows what is best for him, and for 
that part of his church : and He, it may be hoped, \\\\\ 



BETTERS. 4332 

give that result to jpresent plans, wishes, and expecta- 
tions, in which they will respectively have the greatest 
reason to rejoice, as being ordered* in the best manner 
for all concerned. 

Very pleasing indeed, is the account which you give 
of the lively and active piety, and benevolence, of 
your venerable friend, the Rev. Mr. P. at his advanc- 
ed period of life. If I should ever have the pleasure 
of becoming acquainted with him on earth ; his conver- 
sation and example, would, 1 hope, have some desira- 
ble influence and effect, in quickening and animating 
me, in my present work, and in wailing for the coming of 
our Lord. Should he not permit us to meet on earth ; 
may he prepare us to meet, to dwell, and to rejoice to- 
gether for ever, in his presence in heaven. Did I omit 
mentioning this gentleman, in my former letter ? If so, 
I am ashamed of the omission, after all, that you had 
told us of him, while you were with us. But you know 
something of the infirmities of my memory, as well as 
of my head and my heart. Do now, endeavour, with 
your accustomed ingenuity, simplicity, and godly sin- 
cerity, to make up for me, to this worthy old disciple 
and servant of our common Lord, my former deficiency 
of f. iendly remembrance, &c. 

From the hon. Mr. T. and Capt. R. I would most 
gladly receive letters, if they would take the trouble 
of writing to me ; and I am sure that I would highly 
value their communications. But I am ashamed to 
think how, or when they would be repaid, by anj re- 
turn, which I could make for their favours done me, 
in this way. In this case, however, as well as in many- 
ethers, they may be referred for satisfaction and com- 



334 LETTERS. 

pensation, fo that divine maxim, " It is more blessed 
to give, than to receive." 

You have not said a word too much about jour chil- 
dren. Loving the mother as we do, we cannot feel in- 
different towards her children, v^ho, we know, must be 
verj near and dear to her heart. You have reason to 
be thankful that jou could saj so much in their favour. 
All their other promising qualities, and improvements, 
it is hoped, will in due time, be crowned by the grace 
of God. This, you know, is not jours to give. With 
a view to this, however, jou maj, and surelj jou will, 
continue to teach them, to praj for them, and to set be- 
fore them, an instructive, engaging example. And 
while thus studjing to bring up for the Lord, those 
dear children which he has given jou, and which j ou 
have in baptism, already in the most solemn manner de- 
voted to him; you may, according to his word, with 
humble confidence hope, that he will establish his 
covenant with them, as the seed of his people, and be 
their God, as he has been the God of their parents, and 
in like manner bless them, make them a blessing in this 
world, and prepare them for being for ever blessed with 
all the redeemed and the sanctified, in his presence, in 
the world of glory. 

The last interview, for a few short days, of our 
friend, the Rev. Mr. J. with his family and friends, 
must have afforded a kind of melancholy satisfaction, 
to him and to them. With the event, it is hoped, he 
is perfectly satisfied ; and his aflflicted widow, I trust, 
will find, to her unspeakable consolation, that the Lord, 
is the God and husband of the widow, and the Father 
of the fatherless. You, no doubt, must well know how 
to feel for her, and to pray for her. 



LETTERS. . ■ 333 

If you know what pleasure you would feel In seeing 
us at Farmingfon, you may judge how highly we would 
be gratified in seeing you there ; for on that occasion, 
your feelings would, I am sure, be fully reciprocated 
by ours ; excepting so far as your heart may.be larger 
and more benevolent than ours. The prospect of see- 
ing you in the course of next summer, our hearts would 
most fondly cherish ; but whe^ther we shall in this case 
realize our wishes, I am afraid to say, our expectations, 
depends entirely on His will, in whose hands are all 
our times ; and his will be done ! " Invited," as I 
know we are " by sincerity and love," could you real- 
ly believe, that we would find it " hard work," for us 
to put up with your " plain way of life," as you call it I 
As / am a Northern man, by birth and education ; and 
as my wife is in like manner an old English woman, we 
are of course both familiarized to manners, and modes 
of living generally, similar to those which prevail in 
New England. And after all that I have seen and 
experienced, during a residence of nearly eighteen 
years in Charleston, I am still inclined to think, that the 
best servants we can ever have, are our <* right 
hands, and our left ;" at least where health, habit, and 
climate, will allow us to employ these to the best advan- 
tage. From what you must have observed of the ad- 
vantages and disadvantages connected wilh the num- 
bers of that sort of servants, usually belonging to fami- 
lies in this country, you could, I suppose, inform your 
good brother, from whose letter to you, you have fa- 
voured us wilh a valuable extract, that if he were living 
in Carolina, he would find more Canaanites in the land, 
than he has hitherto been aware of, in Connecticut, or 
Vermont. But so it is generally ordered, in the wise 



336 LETTERS. 

providence of God, that conveniencies and inconvenien- 
cies are blended often in remarkable proportion to each 
other, in most situations in this world. A large pro- 
portion of the class of people alluded to, seem to be in 
very close alliance and correspondence, with the ene- 
my in our hearts, and often excite very troublesome 
commotions there, not easily controlled, or quelled. 
Yet many of them are certainly very comfortable and 
useful helps ; at least in this climate ; and many of 
them, I trust, are now worthy fellow-citizens with the 
saints, and will be happy inhabitants, wish all who are 
redeemed out of every nation, of the heaienlj Canaan. 
Yet, I begin to suspect, that if we should be permitted 
to make you a visit, we would feel ourselves rather in 
an awkward situation at Farmingfon ; not from the cir- 
cumstance which you allege ; but from a cause entirely 
of a different nature. The truth is, your partiality seems 
to have prompted you to say, so much about our little 
kindnesses shewn to you, and your own manner of ex- 
pressing your grateful, and friendly sentiments and 
feelings, seems to have gone so far, in conciliating for u» 
the favourable opinion, and good will, of your friends 
around you, that we can now scarcely calculate on any 
other result, from a personal acquaintance with them, 
than a mortifying disappointment on their part, as they 
must soon perceive, that, after all they have heard of 
us, we are indeed very poor creatures, rather standing 
in need of their compassion and prayers, than ha\ ing a 
claim to any high degree of their regards and atten- 
tions. Still, however, it might be good for us, to be 
thus humbled among you ; although the circumstance 
might not be pleasing to our self-love, of which we have 
more than enough, in whatever else we may be deficient. 



LETTERS, 337 

How highly would this self-love of ours, and I would 
hope, some better principles in our hearts, be gratified, 
if, instead of visiting you at Faraiington, we could have 
you added, permanently, to the circle of our friends in 
Charleston ! But it seems to be otherwise ordered, and I 
^oubtnot for your advantage. If infinite wisdom and love, 
have chosen and appoififed our lot? it must be not only 
right in itself, but, m all respects, best for us. My dear 
Jane will, I expect, write to you again ere long ; and to 
her pen I leave the historical details, which you might 
wish to receive, respecting friends, and atFairs here. 
She has lately suffered a good deal from a pain in her 
ear, but is now, through mercy, better. This, I be- 
lieve, she felt some times while you were with us, and 
you may perhaps recollect, that it used to make her 
feel and look ver^ grave ;. and thus, to one of her nat- 
urally lively disposition, it seemed to have a good 
tendency, and desirable effect* After all, and with all 
her infirmities, she possesses, as you know, many valu- 
able qualities, and is to me a dear girl, as she is a most 
affectionate wife, and friend ; and nexf to her husband, 
I doubt whether there is any person in the world, whom 
she loves better than yourself. Let ns be remembei-ed, 
to friends, as before. Write soon again, and as. often 
as you can ; and assure yourself of tbe most cordial es- 
teem, and love, of your sincere friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



43 



338 LETTERS. 



iy]^^ 



TO HON. JOHN TREADWELL, 

DEAC. NOAH PORTER, { Committee of the 

— — MARTjN bull, ^church in the first Soci» 

— THOMAS SMITH, and I ^'y °^ ^^rmiagton. 
SAMUJLL RICHARDS, ESQ,. 

CHARLESTON, NOVEMBER 18, 1806. 

RESPECTED GENTLEMEN, AND ESTEEMED FRIENDS, 

I HAVE been honored with yoiir very 
kind and highly valued letter, under date the 22d Sep- 
teniber, indorsing a vote of jour church, in F. which 
thej had been pleased to m\oj}1 and to commit to your 
care, for the purpose of conveying to me, " their grateful 
sense and acknowledgment of my friendly attentions 
to Mrs. W. a sister of said church, in her afflicted and 
mourning state, during her residence in my family." 

This vote of the church, and the sentiments corres- 
ponding with the spirit of it, expressed in your letter" 
which covered it, are truly gratifying to my feelings j 
while they are, at the same time, adapted deeply to 
humble me, under a consciousness that I am by no means 
entitled to such a very respectful and honorable notice 
of those little services, which I had attempted to ren- 
der to one of the dear family of our blessed Lord, and 
a very worthy sister, indeed, of your church, which his 
wise and good providence had placed for a short time 
in my family. To receive a stranger, of her amiable 
character, and in her very afflicting circumstances, 
mourning under the recent and heavy loss of her best 
mortal friend, and earthly support, to such accommoda- 



LETTERS. 239 

lions as our habitation co;ild afford, and to assure her of 
the most cordial welcome, bj such expressions of chris- 
tian sympathy and love, as were wifhin our power, was 
so plainly our dufyf according to the principles and 
rules of the gospel, as well as the sentiments and dic- 
tates of humanity, that there was no room left for us, ia 
this case, to hesitate for a moment, as to the part which 
we were called to act ; and while endeavouring to fulfil 
the obligations of so obvious a duty, we soon founds and 
from day to day, more and more experienced, in Mrs. 
W*s very agreeable and improving society, some of the 
most pleasing gratifications, of which an heart of genuine 
sensibility is capable. 

I trust, my worthy friends, that I am not altogether 
a stranger to the influence of that most excellent, that 
divine sentiment or maxim, worthy of its adorable au- 
thor, that "// is better to give than to receive ;^' and 
that I am not entirely regardless of His most conde- 
scending and munificent grace, " who has promised a 
rich and everlasting reward to those that shall give to 
drink to one of his little ones, even a cup of cold water, 
in the name of a disciple. But how often have i been 
led to reflect, and to say, "can / pretend to this bless* 
edness, and claim this reward^ when J know that a spi- 
rit of selfishiiess so greatly debases all the little that I 
do, which, in the eye of a partial friend, may look like 
christian benevolence ? In the case now in view, 
whether the principles of my conduct were sucli as the 
spirit of Christ inspires, and his gospel enjoins and 
sanctions, and therefore such as will authorize the be- 
lief and hope, that according to the constitution and 
the provisions of the covenant of grace, I may safely 
look within for an approving conscience, and look up 



840 LETTERS. 

to an approving God, is a question which I feel myself 
not competent to decide. I know, however, that in 
what I did, which was, I doubt not, far less than what I 
ought to have done, I felt a satisfaction and pleasure, 
which were more than an abundant equivalent, for the 
lif tie which was done ; and in these sentiments and feel- 
ings, those of Mrs, K. have, as 1 believe, fully co-incid- 
ed with my own. 

On this subject, indeed, one of my most intimate and 
highly Esteemed christian friends, not very long ago, af- 
ter reading one of Mrs. Ws letters, observed, that if 
we had been permitted to form a plan for obtaining the 
most desirable addition to our social and domestic com- 
forts, we could not possibly have chosen better for our- 
selves, than the wisdom of our gracious Lord had al- 
ready chosen for us, in bringing Mrs. W. into our fami- 
ly, and detaining her there during the short season 
which she spent with us. When she left us, we felt 
that we were separated from dL friend, who was among 
those most near and dear to our hearts, and wilh whom 
we might probably never meet again in this world ; jet 
consoled with the hope, if that hope we might venture 
to cherish, of meeting, never to part, in a better world ; 
where christian love and friendship are perfected, and 
where the joy and pleasure, resulting from this source, 
and that infinitely higher source, the love and favour of 
our* God and Saviour, shall never be interrupted, but 
shall be ever full, and ever growing, through all the 
ages of a blessed and glorious immortality ! 

But I must check a roving pen, which never knows 
where to stop, when employed on a pleasing, interest- 
ing subject. Allow me only to add, on this subject, 
that the well meant, but too flattering expressions ©f 



LETTERS. 841 

the sense, entertained by the church and their commit- 
tee, of my poor and very defective labour of love, io 
the instance alluded to, though very grateful to my 
feelings, on my own account, have been still far more 
pleasing to me, as they have exhibited the satisfactory 
evidence, of the mutual esteem and regard, cherished 
by the church, and by Mrs. W. for each other; and 
particularly as tbey have manifested the disposifion of 
the church, thus to honor one of their members, who 
was doubly related to them, in sacred and peculiarly in- 
teresting ties ; and who, from the dissolution of one of 
those ties, which was in its nature, particularly endear- 
ing, now shares much more deeply than any other mem- 
ber, in the heavy afSiction with which the church has 
been visited, by the removal of their late worthy pas- 
tor, her dear husband, and the excellent father of her 
now fatherless children. The Husband of the rvidow, 
and the Father of the fatherless, will, 1 trust, be found 
a most kind and faithful friend, who will never leave or 
forsake her, or her dear babes ; so that in Him they 
may still have an all-sufScient portion, that will never 
fail them. 

With respect to your bereaved church, I am much 
gratified in hearing, that you have the pleasing prospect 
of soon again enjoying the stated ministrations of the 
gospel, a-nd administration of its ordinances, under the 
pastoral care of the Rev; Mr. P. whose talents and pie- 
ty, and respectable character, under the influence of 
his providence and grace, in w/iose hands are the hearts 
and the times of all men, have concurred to produce 
that cordial unanimity, with which he has been invited 
to take upon him the arduous, and awfully responsible, 
eliarge of the immortal souls, belonging to your church 



342 LETTERS, 

and congregation. If it shall please the great Head of 
the church, to favour his uitimate settlement with you, 
in the pastoral relation, maj the important connexion 
be crowned by His blessing, to the mutual, everlasting 
comfort, of pastor and people, in the day of his final, 
glorious appearing, to judge the world in righteousness, 
to punish with an everlasting destrucsion from his pres- 
ence, those who have not known God, nor obeyed the 
gospel of Christ; bnt to be glorified in his saints, and 
admired in ail, who have believed ; and who, under the 
influence of their faith, and in the course of a sincere, 
cheerful, and persevering obedience to the gospel, 
have looked for the mercy of their Lord Jesus Christ, 
unto eternal life. 

I have taken the liberty of sending to Mrs. W. un- 
der cover to Mr. K. a copy of my sermon, which was 
lately preached here, and which was, in a manner, ex- 
torted from me, in order to its being more extensively 
communicated to the public, through the press. To 
any friend, who may wish to have the perusal of this 
plain discourse, Mrs, W. will, no doubt, readily allow 
the use of it, for that purpose. 

You see, my worthy friends, that instead of undertak- 
ing to make a respectful, formal acknowledgment of, and 
reply to, the very flattering vote of your church, with 
which they have been pleased to honor me ; I have 
used those freedoms, in writing to their respectable 
committee, which J am accustomed to take in my epis- 
tolary communications to my familiar friends. This lib- 
erty will, I hope, be candidly excused ; and I doubt 
not that you will kindly communicate, to the church, so 
much of the contents of this long letter, as in your judg- 
ment, you may think proper to be imparted 5 and that 



LETTfiRS. 343 

you will do this, in the^mode that may be most eligible, 
and acceptable. 

This has been delayed, much beyond ray wishes ; 
partly on account of a more than ordinary pressure of 
business, especially of writing, and partly with a view 
to ascertain, that I might inform yon, of the amount of 
subscriptions for Mr. W's sermons, which you are to 
expect from this quarter. The names of the numerous 
patrons of this worthy undertaking, which appear on 
the paper in my hand.^, I will endeavour to transcribe 
and send forward, within the course of two or three 
weeks. Be assured, my christian brethren, and be so 
good as to assure the church, which you represent, 
that I am with great esteem, and as I hope, in the sa- 
cred ties of the gospel of Christ, our Lord and Saviour^ 
your and their sincere and affectionate friend, and fel- 
low servant, 

ISAAC S. KEITH* 



TO MRS. W. 

CHARLESTON, JANUARY 20, 180f. 

The last letter received from yon, our very 
dear friend, is under the dates November 28th, and 
December 5th, 1806 ; and like all the others, with 
which you have favoured us, it has been read by us, 
and also by some other friends, with a very lively in- 
terest, and cordial pleasure, and as I wonld hope, not 
without some spiritual improvement. We have only to 
regret^ that we are so seldom indulged, with the pecu- 
liar satisfaction, which the perusal of your letters never 



344 LETTERS. 

fails to afford. But considering the distance of our situ- 
ations, and the variety and multiplicity of our respec- 
tive engagements, &c. &c. these cofumunications cannot 
reasonably be expected, Jo be as frequent, as friendship 
and affection would wish. We are, I ara confident, 
respectively, sincerely disposed to do much more, 
and better, in this case, as well as in many other 
instances, than we find ourselves able actually to per- 
form. May it not then suffice, as a kind of general, 
standing apology, for those delays which occur between 
the receipt and the answer of a letter; that these we 
would not allow, if they could be well avoided ? 

Three weeks have now passed, since your favour, 
above noticed, came to hand. It had been long expect- 
ed ; and though not in itself short, yet it seemed to be 
much too soon read through, and through again. Not- 
withstanding, what I have hinted on the subject of apol- 
ogizing, I feel as if I could not help telling you, that I 
have been prevented, from attempting an earlier ac- 
knowledgment of it, partly by a pressure of business, 
which is generally the case, in a more than usual de- 
gree, about the commencement of the year ; and partly 
by indisposition ; but for these circumstances, I should, 
long ere this, have undertaken to thank you, for your 
long and excellent letter ; and to reproach you for your 
unkindness, in withholding it so long from ns ; though, 
I am sure, that vou do not deserve a word of rebuke on 
this account. Friendship, however, usually expecting 
too much, provides for itself many disappointments ; 
and then feels a curious kind of sweet revenge, in blam- 
ing those whom it most tenderly loves, for inflicting the 
pains which it suffers, from its own faults and follies. 



LETTERS. 343 

During the long intervals, which take place between 
the periods of writing and receiving letters, our spirits 
are often with yours, participating in the remembrance 
of seasons past, in the feeling of present circumstances, 
and in realizing the prospect which the light of heaven 
presents to christian faith, not only through the check- 
ered, contracted landscape of this mortal life, but into 
the boundless scenes of eternity, of a blessed and glo- 
rious immortality. What a privilege and satisfaction, 
that, though far absent in body, we may yet be present 
in spirit, beholding and sharing each other's state and 
interests, temporal, spiritual, and eternal ! and that, es- 
pecially, wetnay in the name, and through the media- 
tion of our common Lord and Saviour, meet at the 
throne of grace, and there seek and obtain mercy and 
grace for each other, as well as for ourselves, accord- 
ing to our several circumstances of want, of duty, and 
of trial, in the course of our pilgrimage towards that 
rest, which remaineth for the people of God ; into 
which no sin, or sorrow shall follow ihem ; and in the 
enjoyment of which, all their capacities and desires, 
shall be filled with all the fulness of God ! That we 
may meet you and others, who have been and are most 
dear to you, in that blessed world, to review, in the 
light of glory, the scenes of earth and time, of provi- 
dence and grace, and to rejoice and triumph together, 
in the perfections, the works, and the praises, of God 
our Saviour for ever. Pray for us, with the peculiar 
tenderness and fervor of christian love ; and pray for 
us, without ceasing. 

Your description of the solemn and interesting scene 
of Mr, P*s ordination to the gospel ministry, in order to 

fcis becoming connected, in the pastoral relation, with 
44 



346 LETTERS. 

the church, in which jour late worthy and dear hus- 
band, for a number of jears, exercised his ministry so 
faithfully and zealously, so honorably to himself, and so 
usefully to his people, and from the labours of which 
he has been removed to the joy of his Lord, is worthy 
of your heart, and of your pen ; and has excited in the 
hearts of your friends here, emotions of sympathy, seri- 
ous and tender in their nature, somewhat correspond- 
ent, though, in their degree, they may be much inferior, 
to your own. Il is not at a^* surprising, that such a so- 
lemnity should have bee ., at once, " pleasant and 
mournful to your soul." By a spirit of piety and sen- 
sibility like yours, and circumstanced as you were, 
both the pleasant and the mournful impressions natural- 
ly produced by the occasion, must have been deeply 
felt indeed ; while contemplating, on the one hand, the 
desirable privileges and hopes, to which the bereaved 
church was thus restored ; and while, on the other hand, 
dwelling on the affecting recollection of past events, 
which had called them and you to mourn together. 
May the same blessed Lord and Saviour, who, when 
he calls home one and another of his faithful servants, 
that they may enter into his joy, still provide for his 
church a succession of pastors and teachers, be still 
found by you, the husband of the widow, and the father 
of your fatherless children, and by his gracious pres- 
ence and abundant consolations, fill the great void, 
which his holy bereaving hand, with the wisest de- 
signs and for the most salutary purposes, has made in 
your affectionate heart, and in your dearest social com- 
forts ! 

Vain wish *! yet I cannot help wishing, that I bad 
been present, to see what you saw, and to hear what 



LETTERS. 347 

you heard, on that solemn and tender occasion. Such 
an assemblage of the worthy and pious ministers of 
Christ, and of devout worshippers, and engaged specta- 
tors and hearers ; such serious and interesting transac- 
tions, such instructive, impressive discourses, and such 
excellent, affecting, elevating psalmody, as you de- 
scribe, would I am sure, have aiforded a very peculiar 
gratification to my feelings, and might, I hope, have con- 
tributed something to my spiritual improvement. So 
many people, thronging the courts of the Lord's house, 
and engaging in the exercises of his worship, with atten- 
tive minds, and so many of the cordial friends of Zion, 
and especially of the faithful brethren in the gospel 
ministry, uniting with christian love and zeal, and har- 
mony in their efforts to promote each other's edification, 
and to build up the church of Christ, and advance its 
peace and prosperity ; how pleasing, how animating the 
scene, to every heart which loves the Lord Jesus 
Christ in sincerity, and which prefers the success of 
his cause, the triumphs of his cross, to its chiefest 
earthly joy ! There are, [ trust, many hearts here, 
which would rejoice in witnessing such a scene, in all its 
solemn delightful circumstances, if Providence should 
furnish the peculiar occasion ; and, in beholding, on 
more ordinary occasions, the like evidences and fruits 
of brotherly love, and of the communion of churches, 
as well as of individual christians. But for such affec- 
tionate, profitable and sweet fellowship in the gospel, 
even in proportion to the smaller number of ministers 
and christians here, we seem, at present, rather left to 
sigh and pray, than to hope with any high degree of 
cheering anticipation. Oh, happy families, societies, 
and churches, and associations of ministers, with whom 
the God of love and peace, condescends to dwell I Anil 



348 LETTERS. 

since he appears so evidently fo have honored your 
branch of his church with the distinguishing tokens of 
his favour, and manifestations of his presence, especial- 
ly while engaged in so eminently serious and interest- 
ing a transaction, as that of forming a connexion with a 
pastor, whose ministrations, may most deeply and 
extensively affect their spiritual and eternal concerns; 
"with what consoling reflections, and animating hope, 
should you all now adopt, and sing to his praise, the 
words which his own spirit has indited for you ! 
" For a small moment, have I forsaken thee, but 
wilh great mercies will I gather thee. In a lit- 
tle wrath I hid my face from thee, for a moment ; but 
with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, 
saith the Lord thy Redeemer."^ 31ay the endearing 
union that has now taken place between the worthy pas- 
tor and the worthy people of his charge, be long contin- 
ued, with mutual aifection and satisfaction, and bfr still, 
and more and more, crowned with the smiles and the 
blessings of the adorable and gracious Head of the 
church, to the glory of his own name, and to the present 
great benefit and comfort, and the future, everlasting 
joy, of all concerned ! It is truly pleasing to hear of 
the appearances of " a solemnity on the minds of some 
of the dear youth among you, and of some of them hav- 
ing recently embraced religion." Such appearances, 
are, alas I rarely indeed seen among us, at present ; al- 
though we have reason still to be thankful for some 
consoling tokens, that our Lord has not yet forsaken 
this part of his Zion. A few, and but a few indeed, 
compared with some former seasons, have, during the 
summer and fall past, been added to our church. We 

* Isaiah, liv. 7, 8. 



i-ETTERS, 349 

have reason fo be humbled and to lament, fliatinsfances 
of this nature occur so rarely. But if He, who heareth 
prayer, and eminently delights to glorify himself in ac- 
couiplishing his work of grace, while be honors his peo- 
ple, as the instruments by which he carries it on, if Fie 
gives «s the heart to pray and labour for the revival of 
it, we jnay then encourage the hope, that our .eyes may 
be permitled to see a more glorious display of his sal- 
vation ; when these few scattering drops shall be in- 
creased to a plenfiful shower ; and when his spirit shall 
btJ poured down fion» on high in an abundant supply 
of his convincing, renewing, and saving influences. In 
the desirable eifects of such an effusion of the spirit of 
grace, manifested in the revixal of christians, and the 
awakening and conversion of sinners, we have at once 
the most cheering assurance, and the most pleasing 
glimpse, of the glory of the approaching millenial day ; 
to which your delighled imagination has been borne 
forward, on wings far more rapid, than those of lime, 
and quickened, probably, by the impulse of sacred 
pleasure, which you have felt, from the solemn pleas- 
ing scenes, which you have lately witnessed in Far- 
mington. Blessed will be the eyes, which shall see, 
with holy delight, the long desired day, when the 
church shall be established, and be a praise in all the 
earth! But still more blessed will be the spirits of the 
redeemed, who shall then be in possession of the hea- 
venly kin2.dom, purchased and prepared for them, 
where, in an unspeakably superior light, they shall be- 
hold the glory of their Lord, in all the triumphs of his 
cross below, and in all the fruits of the travail of his 
soul, on high ! Shall we meet there, and soon ? O trans- 
porting prospect ! But may my hope prove fallacious 



350 LETTERS. 

and delusive ! Lord, search me and try me, and lead 
Die in the way everlasting, and give me the hope which 
is in Christ, who is in every believer, the hope of glory ! 
The Lord bless you, and yours, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



TO MRS. B. OF B T. 

CHARLESTON, AUGUST, 180|'. 

feiNCE I have heard of the renewed and 
great affliction, with which it has pleased the Lord to 
visit yon, my worthy friend, together with your family, 
connexions and friends, by the death of your amiable 
and excellent daughter, Mrs. C. I have sincerely and 
tenderly felt for you, and for those who suffer with you, 
under this painfully bereaving stroke of your heavenly 
Father's hand. The feelings and the friendship which 
dispose me to weep with you, and with them, in your 
present sorrows, have induced me to attempt, in this 
way, at once to express my sympathy, and to shew 
my good will to contribute something, if it may be only 
as a mite, to your consolation. 

But what is to be expected from my poor inst rumen 
tality, in a case, in which the best of human friends 
would in themselves prove miserable comforters ? All 
indeed, that I could think of saying, and much more 
than I can now^ suggest, must, I am persuaded, have al 
ready and frequently occurred to your own reflections 
while meditating on the perfections, the works, the 
ways, and the word of God, with the aid of his good 
spirit, enabling you to understand in part, at least, 



LETTERS. 351 

what he has done in this instance ; aUhongh jou will 
never fullj know it, nor be able to comprehend all the 
wisdou and love included in thia mystery of Provi- 
dence, till you are brought to see and contemplate it in 
the light of heaven and eternity. Nor can I now hope 
to be the minister of instruction, or of comfort to you, 
except by recalling to your remembrance and attention, 
those things which you already know ; and by uniting 
my prayers with your own, and those of other friends, 
that you may be favoured with a still larger measure of 
the illuminating, sanctifying, supporting grace of i<he 
Divine Comforter ; and that the same holy hand which 
" has taken away the desire of your eyes with a stroke," 
may kindly bind up the heart that has been broken by 
it, and is in danger of bleeding long under it. 

I am well aware that a parent, a mother alone, can 
fully estimate the loss which you have sustained, by the 
removal of a daughter, such as yours was ; while yet 
in the bloom of youth, and just entered upon the mar- 
riage state, and in circumstances, which, in every view, 
seemed to favour the fond hope, that this dear object 
of the tenderest affections, and source of so many satis- 
factions, might have been still enjoyed, through a se- 
ries of happy years, with a still growing attachment 
and delight. From my short acquaintance with her, 
however, and from what I have learned, in the house 
of mourning myself, I think I know how to enter, ia 
some measure, into your sorrows. 

The last time of my being in company with your 
dauschter, was, I believe, at my own house, where, a 
little before her return to Beaufort, she spent two or 
three hours of a forenoon. Mrs. K. and myself, were 
at that time also favoured with the company of Mrs. W. 



352 LETTERS* 

who spent the winter with us, and of whose amiable 
character and exemplary pietj, and greaf affiictionfrom 
the death of her husband, a most worthy and useful 
minister of the gospel, yoo have no doubt heard, through 
my communications to Dr. F. To all of u:*, those short 
hours were truly pleasant, and I hope, in some degree, 
mutually improving. Mrs. W. who is herself an orna- 
ment of her sex, and of her christian profession, ex- 
pressed herself highly pleased indeed wiih your love- 
ly daughter ; and we were all united in the sentiment, 
th*t there was rarely to be found, so pleasing an assem- 
blage of the charms of youth and beauty, of a fine and 
Well cultivated Ainderstanding, of sweetness of temper, 
and friendly, social dispositions, and of easy, engaging 
manners, all crowned by the sanrtifyins: grace of God, 
which gives the highest improvement to all that is val- 
uable in human nature, and the brightest lus?re to the 
brightest and most amiable character. Pardon me, the 
freedom of these observations. They flow from the 
sentiments of affection and truth, in my heart, while 
they may suggest ideas, or recollections, at once 
** mournful and pleasant to your soul." 

How little was it then realized, perhaps, by any of 
us, that all that was immortal in all this excellence, was 
so soon to be transferred to that blessed world, where 
the spirits of the redeemed are made perfect, and the 
work of grace is finished in glory I How affecting the 
thought, that this is now a solemn reality ! And when 
your memory and imagination, son>etimes moreoflScious 
than friendly, shall again and again present her lovely 
image to your view, shall place before you, the pleas- 
ing features of her animated and expressive counte- 
nance, and shall bring back those many interesting sea- 



LETTERS. 353 

sons of conversation, when " she opened her mouth 
with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness," 
and shall retrace that worthy course of conduct, in 
which every action was but a renewed expression of 
love and duty : the sweet illusion will for a moment 
be enjoyed, as if a real interview were again allowed. 
But ah! that sweet illusion van'shes before the re- 
flections of the succeeding moment ! And then the 
thought, Oh ! the painful thought, that here you shall 
see her face no more, will again fill your heart with 
sorrow : with sorrow breaking in upon it like a flood, 
threatening to swallow up every rising pleasure of the 
memory or the fancy, and every comfort with which 
reason and grace had begun to supply the mighty 
void in " the heart, which has been made desolate within 
you." But when these waves and billows are thus go- 
ing over you ; if you would not allow yourself to sink 
under their overwhelming pressure, I need not tell you, 
for you well know, that your views must be directed, 
and your application be made, in fai'rh and hope, and 
with prayer to your Lord and Saviour, who alone is 
able to relieve and help and deliver you ; and who 
will be found as ready, as he is able, to rebuke the 
threatening storm, to still the raging sea, and by his 
word of power and mercy, to speak the tempestuous 
scene, the tumultuous emotions of your soul cast down, , 
and disquieted within you, into a great and desirable 
calm. 

At all times, indeed, but more especially in such sea- 
sons of distress, how great, how precious must you feel 
the privilege of being authorized and enabled, to call 
upon your soul to return to its rest in your Lord, your 

Redeemer, and your God, into whose hands you have 
45 



354 LETTERS?. 

committed \t^ and to whose disposal you have surren- 
dered jour all ; assured that in Him you will find a 
safe refuge, and a satisfying portion in the land of the 
living ; that you will find his strength made perfect in 
your weakness, and his grace made sufficient for you, 
and that when, in the world you have tribulation or 
distress, he will give you peace in himself, a peace 
wliich no smiles of creatures, or comforts of a worldly 
nature can ever give ; and which is often most fully 
enjoyed, when our comforts from creatures, and from 
the world, have sunk to the lowest ebb. And how 
consoling, how animating, must you feel the belief and 
the persuasion, that as he performeth and ordereth all 
things for yoii'; so, ** he doth all things well," and well 
for you, and will make all things work together for 
your good ! 

Ahhougb then, you are called to lament the early 
death of a most pleasant child, of a most desirable 
daughter, qsialified Jo be a most agreeable and useful 
friend, in the natural and in the spiritual life ; is it not 
enough, fhat the Lord your God and Saviour, still 
liveth and changeth not, and that in him you have an all 
sufficient friend; ever disposed to be touched with the 
feelings of all your infirmities and sorrows ; to pity, 
support, and help you under all your trials, and most 
true and faitlii'id to his own sacred and inviolable word 
of promise, by wliich he has engaged, that he will never 
leave yon, nor forsake you ? 

And while reflecting upon your loss in the dear ob- 
ject, which he has removed,. you think again and again^ 
whrA she was in herself, as a creature, and as a subject 
of renewing grace, and what she was to you in the ten- 
dere&t ties of nature, and of christian friendship, you 



LETTERS. 3.^5 

feel yourself led to weep a2;ain and again, and still to 
bedew her endeared name, with fresh tears of alTection- 
ate, tender, pairiful recollection ; must jou not at the 
same time, find those tears mingled and sweetened with 
rich and strong consolation, when you consider, that 
your Lord hath done it, who hath the most absolute right 
to do with and for his own, whatever seemeth good ia 
his own sight, and who knew infinitely better than 
yourself, what was best for you and for her ; and hath 
given you in this instance, every, reason for submission 
and satisfaction, for acknowledging and saying, with an 
humble, grateful, adoring heart, " It is welW' 

It has, I trust, been indeed well for you, that your 
faith should be tried in this furnace of affliction, in or- 
der to its being found, to your own greater comfort, and 
for the proportionably greater benefit of those who 
look to you for an example, unto praise, and honor, and 
glory, in some desirable measure now, as well as more 
fully and conspicuously at the appearing of Jesus 
Christ ; while under the inOnence of it, and in humble 
imitation of, and in conformity to the faith of Abraham, 
the father of the faithful, you have given up, have you 
not ? some of your favourite and dearest comforts to 
the Lord, without a murmuring word or thought, but 
saying from I he heart, Father, not my will, but thine be 
done I And again, " The Lord hath given, and the Lord 
hath taken away, and still blessed be the name of tlie 
Lord ]" And while by this renewed and great trial, 
your love, your delight, your hope, have been disen- 
gaged more and more, (have they not ?) from all crea- 
tures, and more stedfastly fixed on the Creator, who is 
blessed forever, and the overflowing, unfailing fountain 



356 LETTERS, 

of blessedness, to all those whose trust is placed in hioij 
and whose expectations are formed from him. 

And to jour faith thus tried,^ and proved, and strength- 
ened, and increased, does it still more satisfactorily ap- 
pear, that as to the dear child, the beloved daughter, 
whom you have resigned and given up, when your 
Lord and Master, came and called for her, it is truly 
well with her. 

That fine, that elegant bodily form, in which so 
much divine skill and beneficence were displayed, has 
indeed by the sovereign and righteous mandate of her 
Lord, been consigned to the gloom of the grave, there 
to moulder and dissolve into the dust, out of which it 
was originally formed. But there it shall not remain 
forever under the dominion of death ; for at the last 
day, it shall, by his all powerful voice, be raised up 
again, a spiritual, immortal, incorruptible body, fash- 
ioned in beauty and vigor, like unto the glorious body 
of the Divine Redeemer. 

And when you think of the rational, immortal spirit, 
by which that once lovely clay, which is again to be 
raised in glory, was lately animated, you must view her 
as hi2;hly favoured indeed, in being so early called to 
renounce the vanities of the world, and the pleasures 
of sin, even in the season when their attractions, are 
usually the most powerful and dangerous, for an inter- 
est in the Saviour, and the joys of Heaven, which the 
illuminated mind values infinitely more than all world- 
ly good, and which alone can satisfy a soul born of 
God ; and then, after having the honor of exhibiting, 
for a few short years, the power of godliness, and the 
beauties of religion, which alone can form a character 
worthy of the love of God and man, and secure a genu- 



LETTERS. S5f 

ine, solid, unfailing peace and happiness, to the soul ia 
life and in death ; must she not appear to have been 
still more highly privileged, in being so soon removed 
from a world of imperfection and sin, of temptalion and 
conflict, to that bright world on high, where those who 
have been redeemed from among men, are as the angels 
of God, in all holj perfection ; while they participate 
not only in their exalted happiness, but in ihe peculiar 
joy of their Lord, who has redeemed them to God by 
his blood, and having sanctified fheni into a complete 
conformity to his own image, in righteousness, and holi- 
ness, advances them to sit with him for ever, on his 
throrje of glory ! 

Dh\ you, or could you ever form a better and higher 
wish for your daughter, in those moments when you 
felt most sensibly, the deep, the tender interest which 
she had in your affections ? And shall you now grieve ; 
should you not rather rejoice, that all the best and 
most affectionate wishes of your heart for her, are thus 
accomplished, thus realized by her ? If still nature 
must weep, because she is no more with you, surely 
grace must teach you to weep in this case, as though 
you wept not, when you thus view her as numbered 
with the saints in glory, who are ever with the Lord. 
And if still your bereaved heart must go again and 
again, to the grave to weep there, where all that was 
mortal, of what was lately so lovely and pleasing, lies 
deeply buried out of your sight, while musing on the 
brink of that gloomy mansion, look around, and learn 
to be thankful, that all your other mortal comforts, 
are not also buried there : let it then look down, and 
anticipate the hastening period, for the time is short, 
when there all your sorrows shall be buried for ever. 



358 LETTERS. 

while (here your flesh released from all its toils and 
sufferings, shall, as in a bed of sweet repose, rest in 
hope of a joyful resurrection : and then, through the 
dark valley let it look, with a strong faith, and lively 
hope, and ardent desire, to that world of glory, where 
^od shall wipe away all tears from the eyes of his be- 
loved people, and there shall be no more death, neither 
sorrow nor crying, neither any more pain, for those 
former things are all passed away, and shall nevermore 
be known in that eternal life, which God has promised. 
And let the delightful prospect animate you to run, 
with unyielding patience, and with redoubled diligence, 
in the remainder of the race set before you, until in 
your appointed time, you finish your course with joy, 
and ascend in triumph, to meet again your dear Eliza ; 
and with her and all the saints and holy angels, who 
surround the throne of heaven, to join in noblest acts 
of worship there, in the most exalted exercises of love 
and praise, to the King of saints, the eternal King of 
glory ; and to feel every capacity and desire filled with 
that fulness of joy, which is in his presence, and with 
those pleasures, that are at his right hand for ever. " Oh 
glorious hour. Oh ! blest abode !" 

But having far exceeded my proposed limits, and 
nearly filled the paper before me, I must leave you to 
pursue your own reflections : only commending you to 
** the God of all grace, and our blessed Lord and Sa- 
viour, Jesus Christ, in whom the Father that hath lov- 
ed, hath given you everlasting consolation, and good 
hope, through grace, with my earnest prayers, and in 
the pleasing persuasion, that He will, as he alone can, 
effectually " comfort your heart I" 



LETTERS. 359 

Although I have written in a direct way only to your- 
self, yet it has not been without a view to those who 
mourn with }'ou ; in the hope that those whose hearts 
have been prepared by grace, may find that the conso- 
lations of God are not small with them ; and with the 
solicitous desire, that the hearts of all may be thus 
prepared for partaking, according to their respective 
measure of suffering under this great affliction, of those 
divine consolations, which to believers are made to 
abound through Jesus Christ, as their sorrows have 
abounded. 

" Now the Lord of peace himself, give you peace al- 
ways, by all means ! The Lord be with you all !" 

Wiih great esteem, and affectionate sympathy, I am 
sincerely your friend, 

ISAAC S. EEITH* 



TO DR. F. 

CHARLESTON, AUGUST I2th, tO I4th, ISOr, 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

1 OUR favour, under dales, the 7{h and 8th 
inst. I received yesterday by B. and as usual, I 
write in return, wilh hasten as well as a mind occupied 
with various objects of attention. But as B. sails 
again for Beaufort, this afternoon, I am unwilling 
to let slip the opportunity, without dropping a few lines ; 
they may turn mit to he pages, to a friend whose cor- 
respondence I highly value, and with whose sentiments 
and feelings, my own seem to harmonize, on the most 
important and interesting subjects, and in all the vicis- 



36d LETTERS. 

sitiides of joy and sorrows, to which this mortal life U 
subjected. 

Your letter is chiefly filled, with a truly affecting ac- 
count of an event, at once afflicting and consolatory, 
in an uncommon degree ! For the early death of 
such a lovely woman, and excellent christian ; who 
that knew any thing of her worthy and amiable char- 
acter, and especially that had the opportunity of en- 
joying much of her pleasing, improviui^ society and 
conversation, can forbear to mourn* deeply and tender- 
ly to mourn, that she no longer lives, to adorn the pro- 
fession of the gospel, to gladden the respectable social 
circles in which she moved, and to be. the joy and so- 
lace of her family, connexions, and friends ! Yet 
who that raises the strong and stedfast eje of faith, 
to the bright and heavenly prospect, and beholds her 
happy spirit, now united to the innumerable and glo- 
rious throng of the redeemed, of the spirits of the just 
made perfect, in holiness and bliss, can refuse to be 
consoled with the consideration, that their painful loss 
is her great gain ; that for her, it is unspeakably better 
to be with her Lord her Saviour and her God, than it 
would have been to continue in the body, in a world of 
imperfection, sin, temptation, and trial! Blessed be 
God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, that christians on 
earth are not left to sorrow, for the dearest and the most 
beloved christian friends departed to hea\ en, as those 
who have no hope ! 

How little do friends generally, when they meefp 
realize the solemn idea, that this may be fhe last time 
of seeing each other's faces in the land of the Vn'ms: I 
The last time, I think, of our seeing the desirable 
friend, now no more with us, was at our house, where 



LETTERS. 361 

she spent about two hours of a forenoon ; and seldom 
indeed, if ever, have I enjojed a more pleasant season, 
of that duration, with any person with whom 1 had not 
previously had the pleasure of a long and intimate ac- 
quaintance. Mrs. W. was with us at the same time: 
and as she was herself, an ornament of her sex, and of 
her christian profession, and a very good judge of the 
qualities, natural, acquired, and inspired, which consti- 
tute a character, most worthy of esteem and affectioHj 
she expressed herself very much pleased indeed, with 
Miss B. and we all united in the sentiment, that such 
an assemblage of youth, beauty, intelligence, sweetness 
of disposition, easy and engaging manners, and genu- 
ine, lively piety, is rarely to be found. Her lovely 
image must long live in the recollection, and her mem- 
ory must be long endeared, to the hearts of her friends j 
and especially of those who best knew her worth, and 
loved her most. May the little company of the Re- 
deemer's disciples and friends, who are travelling in th© 
narrow way to life, and who do longer enjoy th& 
pleasing, animating company of , this desirahle fellow 
traveller on the road, be excited to shake off sloth, and 
with redoubled diligence follow her, as she followed 
Christ, and press forward to that immortal crown, and 
everlasting rest, to which she has gone before them ; 
having been peculiarly and eminently favoured, in be- 
ing so early called to realize the promises, and the 
work of grace, fulfilled and completed in glory. And 
may the bereaved parent, husband, sisters, connexions, 
and friends, whose hearts most deeply feel the dispen« 
sation of a wise and holy Providence, which has called 
her so soon to heaven, and left them to mourn her loss 

on earth, and turned their short lived satisfactions; and 
46 



362 lETTERS. 

vainly anticipated joys, in this dear object of their afrec- 
tions, into lasting tears and sorrows, find, that the Sa- 
viour, in whom she trusted and triumphed, is better to 
them, than the dearest of creatures can possibly be ; is 
a friend indeed, who will never leave them nor forsake 
them ; and who is able effectually to comfort those who 
mourn, and ready to make his grace sufficient for them, 
and his strength perfect in their weakness ; and so to 
bless them, even by this great affliction, that they 
shall know, that it is 'jideed good for them, that they 
Lave been thus afflicted. To his compassion, and sup- 
porting, and sanctifying grace, I commend all who are 
sharers in this affliction ; and they will allow me, I 
trust, to take at least an humble part with them in their 
sorrows, with the desire, and in the hope, that as is 
their day of trial, so will their strength from him be 
found ; that as their sorrows have abounded, their 
consolations also, shall by him be made to abound ; 
and that through the teaching of his word and spirit,^ 
they may effectually learn the various lessons of heav- 
enly wisdom, which this providence is adapted to im- 
press most deeply upon their hearts ! 

On the deeply interesting subject of war, which at 
this period so seriously occupies the public mind, I 
can hardly say, whether my hopes or apprehensions, 
respecting it, preponderate. When I think how ob- 
viously it is the interest, in almost every point of view, 
of G. B. and the U. S, to mainfciiini and cultivate 
peace, and harmony, and a fair and equitable commer- 
cial intercourse ; it would seem, that if the governments 
of the two nations, are influenced by the principles of 
an enlightened and honest policy, they may yot meet 
on friendly ground ; and such reparation may yei bf^ 
made, for the insult lately offered to our national Inde- 



JLETTERS. S6^ 

pendence, sovereignty and honor, as may prevent the 
horrors and calamities of war. But when again I think 
of the unworthy returns, which, as a people^ we have 
made to the God of our mercies, for all his distinguish- 
ing favours to our country ; and particularly how un« 
gratefully and criminally we have abused the manifold 
and long continued blessings of peace ; I cannot but 
fear, that the time may be near at hand, when the 
Lord may proceed to visit for these things, and to a- 
venge himself of such a nation as this, by some heav- 
ier judgments, than those which have already been 
abroad in our land ! The scourge of war, we have 
certainly deserved to feel, if not by our conduct to- 
wards the government, with whom we are in danger of 
being involved in a quarrel, which I think we have 
not justly provoked ; yet, at least, by our offences 
against the great Governor of nations, who has a 
right to employ what sword, or rod, he may choose, 
for inflicting upon us the merited chastisement for our 
Bins. Your sincere friends, 

JANE AND ISAAC S. KEITH. 



t^lJi 



TO DR. F. 

CHARLESTON, SEPTEMBER l,180r. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

When I begin to write to you, I generally in- 
tend to write but a little. What becomes of my pur- 
poses, in this case, let the long scrawls which you of- 
ten receive from me, testify. In one respect, indeed, 



864 LETTERS. 

I act in tolerable conformity to my intention, as it h 
but little matter that I send you, though spread over 
several pages, and inveloped in a multitude of words. 
I have often and often wished that I had the pen, not 
only of a ready, but of a concise writer, so that I could 
save my time and paper, and the patience of my cor- 
respondents, by the happy art of saying mulfum in 
jmrvo. But such as I am you see me in rny letters; 
and such as I have to communicate in them, you re- 
ceive in my own manner. For your salie, as well as 
my own, I wish / was mysdfy and that I coidd do, 
much better. As things are, well is it for me, at least, 
in point of enjoying your correspondence, that you are 
a partial friend, and seem willing to be pleased with 
trifles^ offered by a well meaning heart, as tokens of af- 
fection* 

As with all my consciousness of my many infirmities 
and deficiencies, I have some vanity, which you know 
always loves to be flattered ; I must acknowledge to 
you, that I have felt some gratification in reading the 
expressions of your approbation of the printed dis- 
course which I sent you. I wish it had been more wor- 
thy of the cause, and of course, of your acceptance. 
I have long judged, that political interests and duties, 
as they undoubtedly come within the compass, the 
"wide compass, of religion, which teaches us what we 
owe, not only to God and ourselves, but to our fellow- 
men, as individuals, and as members of sacred and civil 
society, may with propriety be introduced, as sub- 
jects worthy of attention, in our public discourses. 
But as they require to be managed with a peculiarly 
delicate hand, and should not, perhaps, be often brought 
forward, or very particularly discussed^ excepting in 



LETTERS. S65 

extfaordinarj seasons and circumstances, T hare rarely 
indeed, allowed my unskilful hand to touch them. 
That what was attempted in this way, on a late occa- 
sion, which seemed naturally to lead to some observa- 
tions on the critical state of our country, should have 
been demanded for a more extensive publication 
through the press, than was given from the pulpit, was 
altogether beyond my expectation; and to this meas- 
ure of my friends, / rather submitted^ than consented. 
And now I see, they are dragging a part of it again 
before the public, through the channel of the newspa- 
pers, the CoJirier. Now is not this on the whole, more 
humbling, than flattering ? For when do you ever see 
a really excellent, evangelical sermon, on any of the 
most important subjects, involving the great, the ever- 
lasting interests of the soul and its salvation, thought 
worthy of being communicated to the public, in a 
newspaper ? But enough of this sermon ! 

On your essay on Patriotism, 1 have not now time 
to comment. Let one remark suffice, that on this sub- 
ject, my sentiments fully coincide with those which 
you have communicated. And be assured, that your 
religious sentiments and experiences, as intimated, 
sometimes more briefly, and sometimes more largely, 
in your epistolary communications, as well as in con- 
versation, (when the opportunities for that have occur- 
red) meet my approbation, and, without meaning to 
express a compliment, have led me to esteem you, 
among many others, better than myself; as being more 
experimentally, and practically acquainted, with the 
truth and grace of the gospel, which I profess to have 
believed and embraced, and which, in Providence, and 
by oflSce I have been called to preach to others. Ah I 



S6S fcHTTERS. 

to preach not ourselves, but Christ, and bitn crucified, 
requires a degree of divine illumination and grace, of 
which, when I seriously think, I see reason enough for 
the deepest humiliation of soul. Happy are they 
who properly feel their own insufficiency in this case, 
and who experimentally know that their sufficiency is 
of God their Saviour ! 

We have lately received a long, and as usual, an 
excellent letter,' from Mrs. W. Among other mat- 
ters, she informs, that, since the edition of 2000 
copies of the volume of her husband's sermons, 
there has been such a demand by non-subscribers, for 
the small balance of 200 or 300, which had not been 
subscribed for, that she expects the whole edition will 
soongooflf: and with other friends regrets, that the 
edition had not been extended, to at least 2,500 copies. 
Of the numerous patrons of this publication, who sub- 
scribed, chiefly from love to 3Irs. W, and with a 
mew to the benefit of her family ; many of the best 
judges of evangelical preaching among us, have ex- 
pressed a cordial and warm approbation of the sermons 
I generally : so that they seem to enjoy, in this case, a 
double reward, in the pleasure of doing good, and 
the benefit, that has been reflected back upon themselves 
from the good which they designed to do to another. 
Had those sermons passed under the deliberate review 
and polishing hand of the author who left them, I sup- 
pose, in the state in which they were first prepared for 
his stated course of preaching, they might have, per- 
haps, appeared to greater advantage in the eye of the 
critical reader ; but I doubt whether they would have 
been at all more pleasing and acceptable to the pious 
heart. 



LETTERS. S6? 

Mrs. W. mentions in her letter, the appearance of a 
remarkable, and mo^t desirable revival of religion, in 
the church under the care of the Rev. Mr. H. whose 
excellent funeral sermon on Mr. W. is inserted in the 
volume of his sermons: and some drops of the heav- 
enly shower, she says, are beginning to fall upon the 
neighbouring churches. She observes, that Mr. H. 
seems to be wearing himself out by his fervent zeal and 
abundant labours ; and speaks of his preaching lately 
to great acceptance, in the church at Farmington, 
on these words : " When the Lord shall build up 
Zion, he shall appear in his glory. "^ Do our hearts 
indeed long to see such a day of our Lord's glory, 
in Charleston, and in Beaufort, and all around ? If 
so : let us pray and labour, in our respective spheres, 
with becoming importunity, and diligence : then may 
we hope to be thus favoured, as others are, and as we 
have been, in some measure heretofore. 

With this, I send under the same cover, a letter to 
Mrs. B. on the subject of her late distressing, yet con- 
solatory affliction. I have endeavoured to express my 
good will, to minister consolation, if it were in my 
power; but the Lord alone, 1 know, ca?i, and he I trust 
will, effectually comfort her heart. This letter was 
written a few days ago, when in daily expectation of B's 
arrival. Be so good as to hand it to Mrs. B. and 
may a blessing attend, what may be proper and sea- 
sonable in it, to herself, and to those who mourn with 
her. I thought that surely, I must and would con- 
clude here : but I must yet take the other end of the 
page for finishing, when I have no room for another 
line more. You will easily perceive, that my brains 
* Paalm cii. 16. 



368 LETTERS. 

Lave not been much on the rack, in writing this ; buJ 
my fingers are tired with holding the pen ; as your pa 
tience must now be in trjing to read, or to spell out^ 
this hasty, yes literally hasty scrawl. 

In love to yourselves, and all friends around you^ 
your little friend Jane, joins with your greater /riew£?, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



e^^< 



TO MRS. W. 

CHARLESTON, AUGUST ST, tO SEPT. 10, 180r. 

« Again we have been favoured with a long let- 
ter, from our very dear, dear friend, under date the 
29th of July. It must have been more than three 
"weeks on the way, as it was not received here till the 
24th of August. It was, if not long looked for, at 
least for some time expected, not without some degree 
of anxiety and impatience, before it came at last. And 
when it came, as we knew that it came all warm from 
the heart of a friend, whom we highly esteem, and 
very affectionately love ; and whose reciprocal aflfec- 
tion gratifies our self-love, more than our pens or 
words can express, you may be assured, that this re- 
newed evidence of your continued friendship, and 
kind remembrance, was most welcome to our hearts ; 
as is every letter indeed, that we receive from you. 
This, I believe, I have in substance told you more 
than once already. But to those whom we love, we 
are apt to say the same things over and over again. 



LETTERS. 869 

It gave us inuch pleasure to hear, that both of the 
letters which you acknowledge, and to which jou have 
made such ample returns, had got seasonably to hand. 
And could you not have told us so, sooner than you 
did ? But, all circumstances considered, we cannot 
think of blaming you ; for we know that it is in your 
heart to write when you can ; and we have only to 
wish, that in this case, and in many other instances, you 
and we, could better do what we would : although, I 
suppose, that we all see abundant cause for complaining 
of ourselves, that we are often and often, far from be- 
ing willing and ready, in a proper degree, to do th6 
good which may be within the power of our hand. 
What views must they have of themselves, who think 
that they can merit heaven itself by the goodness of 
their hearts, and by their good doings ? Happy they, 
who are so poor in spirit, as to see and feel, that to 
them Christ is all ! With what transporting pleasure 
will they hereafter cast their crowns of glory at his 
feet, and triumph in his praise, who has done all for 
them, who has bestowed all upon them, and >vhose joy 
will constitute their happiness forever ! 

Ere this, it is hoped, that you have received pay- 
ment of the bill, which you mention as having been 
safely conveyed in ray last letter. The remarkable 
success which has attended the undertaking, of pub- 
lishing a volume of your late dear husband's sermons, 
is highly gratifying to your numerous friends here, as 
well as to those nearer around you. It seems to be, in- 
deed, much to be regretted, that the edition had not 
been extended to 2,500, instead of being limited to 
2,000 : as there is such good ground now for believing, 

that, within a reasonable space of time, the whole of 

AT 



aro 



LETTERS. 



the first menfioned number might have been disposed 
of. But is it not probable, that in due time there may 
be a call for a second edition ? In the mean time, there 
is great reason for thankfulness, that so large an edition 
as that which has been actually printed, has been for 
the most part subscribed for, and that the remainder 
are likely to be disposed of so soon. In this the be- 
nevolent and the pious must be disposed to rejoice, 
not only on account of the particular benefit resulting 
from this circumstance, to the widow and the fatherless; 
but in the view of the still greater good, so extensively 
diffused through the community, by the publication of 
so large a number of these valuable discourses. With 
great truth I can assure you, that I think them really 
excellent sermons ; composed in a style of simplicity^ 
congenial to that of the scriptures, and enriched with 
scripture truths, exhibited in a manner well adapted to 
enlighten the understanding, to impress the heart, and 
to promote the improvement, the comfort, and the sal- 
vation of the soul. It will, no doubt, be peculiarly 
grateful to the feelings of your heart, which must long 
cherish the most affectionate remembrance of a most 
worthy husband ; as it has been very pleasing to me, 
to find, that among the very numerous subscribers to 
those sermons in Charleston, many persons, whom I 
reckon among the best judges of evangelical preaching, 
that are to be found here, have expressed a cordial, 
and warm approbation of them. Hence, although ihey 
at first subscribed, chiefiy from love to you, norv they 
feel a double gratification, as they meant to serve a 
friend, and in doing that^ have secured a still greater 
benefit to themselves. When I consider these sermons 
as prepared generally for a stated course of preaching, 



LETTERS, 3fl 

without any view fo (he press, and as printed from th© 
manuscript, as it was thus left by the author, I cannot 
but view then), as reflecting great honor upon his mem- 
orj. Had they passed under the deliberate review, and 
polishing hand of the writer, before they were published, 
they might perhaps have appeared to greater advan- 
tage in the eye of the critical reader ; but I doubt 
whether they would have been at all more pleasing and 
acceptable to the pious heart. 

Although we have no business with wishing for any 
thing but what the Lord wills; yet our natural affec- 
tions, which want a great deal of guiding, restraining, 
and sanctifying grace, to set, and to keep them right 
every day, have been daily prompting us to wish that 
we could see you where you are, and your worthy 
friends with whom you are surrounded ; and as we 
could not hope to stay long with you there, then, to 
wish that you were with us here ; and that here yoa 
would abide, and feel yourself at home : so far at least, 
as pilgrims may be allowed to feel themselves at home, 
on earth. With what painful pleasure are the inter- 
esting hours which we have spent together, now recol- 
lected, often and often, in the course of every day that 
passes ! With what heartfelt pleasure would they be 
renewed, if the wise and good providence of our God, 
would permit ! Now what is this but the very spirit of 
selfishness in us? For our judgement tells us, that it 
is much better, alF circumstances considered, for you 
now, to be where you are. How strange, how inconsis- 
tent, (but what inconsistencies cannot the human heart 
reconcile?) that we should really wish you an evil, an 
acknowledged evil, while we persuade ourselves that 
we are cherishing for you, the tenderest affection, of 



372 LETTERS. 

the purest friendship ! Well is it for you, that 
your blessed Lord and Saviour loves you infinite^ 
ly better than we do, and orders, and does every 
thing concerning you, and for you, JMS^ as he does, be-* 
cause he loves you ! Since then He sees it best, that 
we should not now enjoy the pleasure, and the improve- 
ment to be found in your society and conversation ; we 
desire to bow to his wise disposal, and to be thankful 
for the satisfaction, which he allows us, of still numbering 
you among the very dearest of our friends; of maintain- 
ing a constant correspondence with you by letters ; and 
of hearing so frequently, and so particularly, of the 
many, the new, and fresh evidences and fruits of 
the loving kindness, and tender mercy of the Lord, 
with which you are favoured, under all the trials, 
which his wisdom has appointed to you. The Lord 
appears indeed, to be dealing with you, as he doeis 
with those whom he loves, with a peculiar affection. 
Having adopted you into his family, and given you an 
interest in all the high and distinguishing privileges of 
the children of God, he added to the rich blessings of 
bis grace, one of the most precious and desirable fa- 
vours of his providence, when he gave you, for the 
friend of your bosom, the most intimate companion of 
your soul, one who was a fellow heir with you of the 
grace of life, and eminently qualified to be your coun- 
sellor and comforter, io share, and to relieve you of, at 
least half, the load of all your troubles, and to partici^ 
pate and to double all your joys, on the journey to that 
everlasting rest, which remains for the people of God. 
You were highly pleased, and happy, very happy, 
with this gift of your Father's love : and unconscious 
Qf your error, and even inattentive, perhaps, to th0 



LETTERS. 



«r3 



Qvide difference between gratitude and idolatry, you 
were gradually raising the worthy, the beloved partner 
of your joys and sorrows, too near the place in your 
heart, which you had consecrated to the Creator, and 
which he alone is entitled and qualiBed to fill. Tha 
creature whom your en itjg affections were prone to 
idolize, your Father loved unspeakably better than you 
could ; and having accomplished in him the work of hi» 
grace, and enabled him to finish with acceptable fideli- 
ty, the work which was given him to do, he was in great 
mercy, received to glory. For you, it was necessary 
that you should be further purified in the furnace of 
affliction ; that thus your affections might be refined^ 
and prepared to be filled more entirely with the ful- 
ness of God, and that thus you might be fitted to 
exhibit a brighter example of the christian temper and 
character, and to enjoy in an higher degree, the peace 
which the Saviour bestows ; but which the world, 
■which creatures, cannot give. You were therefore af' 
fiicted, severely afflicted ; and your faith, much more 
precious than gold which perisheth, having been tried 
as by fire, has been found unto praise, has appeared to 
the praise of its Divine Author, to your own increased 
comfort, and to the proportionably greater benefit of 
others, who have looked to you for an example ; and 
your soul, deeply humbled, and submissively accepting 
correction, as justly and mercifully inflicted, for its 
idolatrous attachment to the creature, has felt itself 
compelled by an happy necessity, and constrained by 
a sweet influence of grace, to return to its rest in the 
Lord, and to trust and hope, and rejoice in a manner 
more worthy of your christian character, in Him, a? 
your refuge and your portion in the land of the living. 



3r4 



LETTERS, 



And ever since he has thus afflicted you for your good, 
he appears to have been renewing to you, in various 
ways, thetokens of his favour and love, and indeed, to 
have been continually rejoicing over you, in doing you 
good, by the kindest dispensations of his providence. 
Trials, indeed, and these neither few nor small, are 
necessarily connected with your present situation; and 
trials of one kind or other, christians must have in every 
condition on earth ; and these are in some respects j great- 
er mercies and blessings, than the dearest comforts of 
life. But your trials are sweetened with so many 
comforts, with so many pleasant fruits of your Fath- 
er's love and beneficence, whether coming more imme- 
diately from his own kind hand, or conveyed to you 
by the instrumentality of friends, whose hearts he has 
prepared and inclined to shew you kindness, that you 
must feel yourself laid under the most pleasing obliga- 
tions to acknowledge, " that he hath been daily put- 
ting a new song in your mouth, even praise to your 
God ;" and that when you would declare, and speak of 
the many wonderful works, which the Lord your God 
has done, and of his thoughts of mercy and peace to* 
wards you, you find that they cannot be reckoned up 
in order, that they are more than can be numbered.^ 
And what gives to all the benefits of his hand, with 
which he is daily loading you, their highest value and 
relish, is the persuasion, the assurance, inspired by his 
Spirit, and sanctioned by his word, that these are on- 
ly the provisions of his tender care and love, to sup- 
port and cheer you on the way to your Father's house, 
eternal in heaven, where your incorruptible, undefiled, 
and unfading inheritance of glory and joy, is reserved 

* Psjilm xK 



LETTERS. 375 

for you. How pleasing, (and might it not be equally 
improving ?) again to meet and talk over these things ; 
to repeat, once and again, many of the things which 
were said, during the months which you spent with us ; 
and to say much more of what might then have been 
said ; but for which there did not seem to be sufficient 
time ; or for which the opportunity was lost, by negli- 
gence, or an excessive attention to a variety of matters 
of little comparative importance, and then reciprocate 
our observations and reflections, upon the interesting 
scenes and events, which have passed since the unwel* 
come hour of our separation occurred I Whether 
such a meeting, such a gratification of the heart, such a 
feast of the soul, will ever be permitted to us on earth, 
rests with Him, in whose hands are all our times » 
Shall we then, (to renew the question on which you say 
you so often mused, while with us,) shall we all meet 
in Heaven.^ There, I believe, you will in due time 
meet a beloved, lamented husband, and all the other 
redeemed, sanctified, and perfected spirits, who sur- 
round the throne of God and the Lamb, to spend a 
blessed immortality, in adoration and praise, love and joy* 
But shall /ever meet you, and the rest of that glorious 
and happy throng, in that bright world, that blessed 
abode, where 

No vain discourse shall fill our tongue. 
Nor trifles vex our ear : 
Infinite grace shall be our song. 
And God rejoice to hear ! 

2^his is a question, which has ten thousand times, 
thrilled through and through my heart, and excited a 
conflict of hope and fear, of joy and pain, which no 
words can describe. I have thought^ perhaps I have 



SrS LETl'ERS. 

only presumed, that whereas I was blind, I have beep 
divinely enlightened, to see, to love, to embrace, to 
trust, and to rejoice in God the Saviour, as all my 
desire, hope, salvation, and happiness ; and I often 
think, perhaps I only fancy, that my soul would find 
the highest delight which it craves, and to which it as- 
pires, in glorifying and enjoying my God and Saviour, 
in the company, and in harmony with his saints, for 
ever. But, if / indeed love Him, and desire to be 
with him, why do I not better keep his commandments ? 
Why do I not study more to glorify him, by bringing 
forth more of the fruits of the Spirit ? And why am I not 
more ready and resolved to deny myself, and take \Mp 
the cross daily, and to follow my Lord fully, in the 
hope and prospect of the final accomplishment of hi;8 
gracious promise, that where he is, there shall his ser» 
vants and friends be also, ever with the Lord ? 

'Tis a point 1 long to know ; 
Oft it causes anxious thoughts, 
Do I love the Lord or no ; 
Am I his, or am 1 not ? 

Lord decide the doubtful case ! 
Thou who art thy people's sun. 
Shine upon thy work of grace. 
If indeed it be begun ! 

The account which you have communicated, of the 
remarkable and most desirable revival of religion, 
which has lately appeared in Mr. H's congregation, es- 
pecially, is most pleasing and welcorael May that 
glorious work of the Lord, be greatly increased, long; 
continued, and widely extended ! The zeal and activ- 
ity with which Mr. H. is engaged in this work, are such 
as might be expected by those, otherwise unacquainted 
with his character, who have read his excellent funeral 



LETTERS. Sff 

discourse, on the death of Mr. W. included in the 
volume of Mr. W's sermons ; a discourse which has 
been very much approved and admired by many here. 
In a nobler and better cause, he could not spend and 
be spent ; but I hope that he may not too soon wear 
himself out, by the abundance of his labours. It is 
pleasing also to hear, that even a few drops of the plen- 
tiful, heavenly shower, are falling upon the church in 
Farmington, as well as others in the neighbourhood. 
I hope that the ministrations of your worthy young 
pastor, will be honored and encouraged, by an increas- 
ing blessing attending them, and crowning them with 
success, in promoting the salvation of sinners, and the 
edification of believers ; among whom, of this latter 
class, within the bounds of his pastoral charge, you 
must feel a peculiar satisfaction, in numbering many, 
as the seals of your late dear husband's faithful and la- 
borious ministry. Oh ! that here also, we might soon 
see the happy day, when " The Lord shall build up 
Zion, and appear in his glory among us !" He ap- 
pears, indeed, from time to time, to be adding one arid 
another, some white, some black, to the church, among 
those who shall be saved. But while we bless his 
name for the day of small things, there are, I hope, a 
number of his friends here, who long to see his houses 
of worship among us, and the church which he has 
planted, and supported here, and for which, in various 
"wajs, he has done great things, filled more visibly with 
his glory, and with converts in numbers, in the beauties 
of holiness, and in sweetness and usefulness of influenccj 
like the drops of morning dew ! What " sight upon earth 
is so fair" as that of numbers crowding the temple gates 

of the Lord, as humble, devout worshippers, and impor- 
48 



SrS LETTERS* 

tunate seekers of salvation ; and through the gates of the 
church on earth, pressing into the kingdom of heaven T 
Greater, surely, than the joy of harvest, must be the 
joy of the friends of Jesus, when they thus see the 
gathering of the people unto bira ; in their measure^i 
they will feel even the satisfaction which he enjoys, 
when he thus sees of the travail of his soul. May He 
multiply the people, thus made willing in the day of his 
power, to become the subjects of his grace, and the sup- 
porters of his cause, and increase this joy abundantly, 
through all the churches, and among all the nations ! 

But I must check my roving pen, which never 
knows where to stop, when moving towards a dear 
friend. Well, let it still go on ; but under the direc- 
tion of another hand, by which I hope, it will be em- 
ployed, to fill the remainder of this sheet, more agreea- 
bly than it would by my own. 

I am, very aflfeciionately, yours, 

ISAAC S, KEITHf, 



fr^^» 



TO MRS. W. 

CHARLESTOSr, APRIL 19, 180f, 

It cannot be necessary to remind you, our dear 
friend, that in my little wife and myself, you have very 
dilatory correspondents, and indeed very poor crea- 
tures, as friends. If our friendship, indeed, were to be 
estimated by our affectionate esteem and remembrance 
of you, and by our benevolent wishes for your happi- 
ness, we might perhaps stand the test tolerably well : 
but if, like a christian profession, it is to be judged by 
its substantial fruits, it would, in this view, be found 



liETTBRS, S?"9 

greatly wanting. And when we measure the friend- 
ship which we profess to cherish for our blessed Lord 
and Saviour, to whom we are bound by every obliga- 
tion, by the standard which he has fixed for the proof 
of it, where he says, "Ye are my friends, if ye do 
whatsoever I command you." What confidence or hope 
towards him could we have, if he were not indeed, the 
friend of sinners ? How high the satisfaction of say- 
ing, with truth, "Lord, thou knowest all things, thou 
knowest that I love thee !" And how great the consola- 
tion, resulting from the declarations of his own word, 
that if any who love him in sincerity, fail or offend, (and 
how many, alas ! are the failings and offences, with 
which their consciences must charge them?) they have in 
him an High-Priestj who is tenderly touched with the 
feeling of their infirmities, and whose blood cleanseth 
from all sin and unrighteousness, and an Advocate, 
whose intercession in their behalf, with the Father of 
mercies, shall prevail to obtain for them, pardoning 
mercy, and sanctifying, supporting, and comforting 
grace, according to their necessities ! 

You, I believe, have long loved the Lord Jesus 
Christ in sincerity ; and the longer you have known 
Him and yourself, the more, 1 doubt not, you have seen 
and felt, that He is just such a Saviour and friend as 
you absolutely need ; a Saviour and friend all-sufficient, 
and as condescending as he is glorious, as ready, merci- 
fully to forgive you, and graciously to receive you 
again, as you have been prone to err, and to abuse his 
goodness and indulgence. Such love and grace could 
be expected to be shewn only by him, who died for his 
enemies, for his own creatures, when they were in the 
full career of their mad rebellion against him. And 



380 LETTERS. 

surely, eternity will be short enough to utter all his 
praise ! What a pitj that so little of it should be shewn 
forth now, by any who venture to hope that they are 
redeemed by him, to be a peculiar people to himselfj 
zealous of good works ! 

As to myself, 1 feel, that with respect to Him, whom 
I call my Lord, and who, I know, can alone be my Sa- 
viour, I am living " at a poor dying rate," indeed. 
Lord increase my faith, that faith which works by love, 
overcomes the world, and brings forth abundantly of 
those fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, 
to the glory and praise of God ! 

In respect to the natural life, and the circumstances 
of my situation in the world, no material change has 
lately taken place, except what may be included in the 
silent flight of time, which has brought me, by the space 
of many months, nearer to an unwasting eternity, than 
I was w^h^n we were with you last summer, and favour- 
ed with the interview which had been so much desir- 
ed, which was so pleasing in the enjoyment, and yet 
but half enjoyed, on account of its being of so short 
continuance, and so soon past and gone, probably not 
to be renewed again on earth. May it be renewed in 
very different, in unspeakably better circumstances in 
Heaven ; there to be perpetuated, through all the peri- 
ods of a blessed and glorious immortality, where the 
pain of separation, where the sigh which rises, and the 
tear which falls, at the thought of a departed, or an ab- 
sent friend, shall be known no more ; where love, and 
friendship, and society, shall be perfected ; where God 
shall be all in all, and joy in his presence, shall be full 
and still growing, and rising higher and higher, for ever! 
Can such a felicity belong to me ? May my hopes as« 



LETTERS. 881 

pire so high ? Is Jesus precious to me as he is to them 
who truly believe ? With every such soul, it is surely 
not presumptuous, but a duty, and a becoming expres- 
sion of gratitude, to hope to enter into his joy, and to 
behold and to partake of his glory ; for such is his will, 
and such the assurance of his faithful word. Lord, I 
would believe : help thou my unbelief! and enable me, 
to give all requisite diligence, in order to the attain- 
ment of a full assurance of hope ! 

The winter here, after a most delightful autumn, 
which was prolonged till near Christmas, was, for seve- 
ral weeks, ratiier wet and unpleasant, but not very cold. 
From the latter part of February to the present time, 
the weather has been as dry, as it was before rainy ; and 
excepting a few days, it has been cool for the season ; 
and lately we have had a smart frost ; which, in the up- 
per country, has been so severe as to kill a great deal of 
the wheat, which was, as 1 suppose, just beginning to 
shoot into the ear. Long before this, I presume you 
have been relieved from the pinching cold, and many 
inconveniencies attending it, of which you complained, 
when writing to us, in January and February. May 
the return of the spring and summer, so peculiarly de- 
sirable in your climate, be attended with the smiles of 
Heaven, on your temporal and spiritual concerns ! I 
have seen some alarming accounts of the fever, with 
which you were so extensively and deeply afflicted in 
Farmington last year, having appeared and proved very 
fatal, in some families in Hartford. It must be an aw- 
ful scourge where it prevails. May the Lord in his 
mercy arrest its progress ; or accompany it with his 
sanctifying blessing, to those who are called to suflfer 
and«r it ! 



-882 LETTERS. 

Together with yourself, and near connexions, we have 
often and often recollected, with peculiar satisfaction, 
the many valuable and dear friends, with which you are 
surrounded, and with which we had the pleasure of be* 
coming a little acquainted, during our short visit. As- 
sure them, as you have opportunity, of our very grate- 
ful and affectionate remembrance. The names of indi- 
viduals T am afraid to begin to mention, as they are so 
many: and some might be undesignedly omitted. I 
always think of them as forming, not merely a numer- 
ous, well instructed, orderly, respectable church and 
congregation ; but as members of one family, who, ex- 
perimentally, know how good and pleasant it is, for 
brethren to dwell together in unity. 

As a society they are, in my view, highly privileged 
in having among them so large a proportion of the truly 
honorable, and worthy, and good ; qualified, by their 
intelligence and their principles, to serve the cause and 
to recommend the religion of the gospel. And here, 
you may be sure, I do not forget, or leave out of view, 
those serious, pious, and excellent young ladies, whose 
cultivated minds, amiable dispositions, and pleasing 
manners, soon constrained us to esteem and love them, 
while by their very polite and friendly attentions to us> 
we felt ourselves peculiarly honored and gratified. May 
the Lord bless them, and make them blessings, indeed, 
to their families and connexions, and to the church of 
Christ, as worthy and ornamental members of it ! The 
Union between your worthy pastor and his dear H. is, 
we trust, by the blessing of heaven, made a source of 
rich and growing happiness to themselves ; and it is 
our prayer and hope, that he, in his special and highly 
important and interesting relation to the church ; and 



LETTERS. 383^ 

that she, in her sphere, as his nearest connexion and 
most endeared friend, and affectionate helper, in the 
spiritual as well as in the natural life, may be the honor- 
ed ihi^ruments of diffusing much good and happiness, 
among their friends, and through the community, as far 
as their activity and influence can be extended ! 

It is very pleasing to us to hear, that our venerable, 
friend, Mr. P. continues, at his advanced age, to enjoy a 
comfortable state of health ; vrhile with the decline of the 
outward man, his inward man seems to be renewed day 
by day, and his heart to become more and more warm- 
ed with the love of God and man, and his soul thus ad- 
vancing in its preparation and meetness for the blessed 
society of the spirits of the just made perfect. His 
friendship for you has, no doubt, had its inj3uence in 
leading him to think and speak more highly of us, than 
he ought to think or speak. I should, doubtless, be 
very much mortified, if not humbled, at the thought, 
that nobody should think or speak favourably of me ; 
and yet I cannot help feeling ashamed of myself, when 
honored with any expressions or testimonies of the 
friendly regards of the wise, the worthy, and the good 5 
conscious how little I deserve their favour. Never was 
there a son of fallen Adam, who had more reason than 
I ha\e to say, continually, and with respect to every 
movement of my heart, and action of my life, " God be 
merciful to me a sinner !" We hope that the health of 
your excellent old friend, the honorable and the good 
Lieut. Governor T. is still continued, that together with 
his family, he finds all the Lord's dispensations, whether 
comfortable or afflicting, to be paths of mercy and 
truth ; and that he will yet be spared to do much good 
in church and state on earth, before he is called to en- 



384 LETTERS. 

ter into his rest in heaven. But contrary to my plan, I 
am beginning io particularize, in speaking of friends 
around you ; and am tempted now to name your good 
deacons, and the several families of C. M. R. (9* &c. 
tScc. &c. but I must stop here, with the request, that 
our united love and best wishes, may be presented to 
them all and every one, as if they were severally nam- 
ed, including especially your sisters and brothers, and 
their and your dear children. As to yourself, rest as- 
sured^ that wt continue to love you as dearly and sin- 
cerely as ever ; and while we tenderly sympathize with 
you under the renewed deaths, sicknesses, and various 
afflictions, in which you are from time to time called to 
bear your part of sufferings, we are at the same time 
consoled with the persuasion, that all are appointed aiid 
ordered in love, and will be sanctified to the further- 
ance of your salvation, and the increase of your ever- 
lasting happiness. And surely you can have no cause 
to complain, if it pleases your wise and gracious Lord, 
in the furnace of affliction, to brighten your future 
erown of glory. 

w W 9t" TV- 

ISAAC S» KEITHe 



fr^lf* 



TO MRS. W. 

• N THE DEATH OF HER SON. 

NEW YORK, JULY 9, 1808. 

Your kind letter, our very dear friend, which 
jou wrote at Middleton, under date of the 4th inst. we 
liave just now received. How little did we apprehend, 



LETTERS. 385 

after having received and read so many letters from 
you, communicating so much pleasure and satisfaction, 
that your next would be the messenger of such sorrow- 
ful tidings, and penetrate our hearts with pain, instead 
of filling them with joy! But alas ! what are the most 
flattering worldly prospects, and the most pleasing cal- 
culations founded upon them ! The storm of afHiction 
had beaten heavily upon you, and laid your best earth- 
ly support, and dearest mortal comfort in the dust. 
Your sky, however, seemed to be clearing up, and the 
sun of prosperity had begun again to shine upon you. 
But the black cloud has again gathered around you, 
and drawn you again into the house of mourning ; and 
to the feelings of nature, and especially to the tender 
sensibilities of a widowed mother's heart : how gloomy 
now the scene, where you are watering, with unavailing 
tears, the lovely plant which you were cultivating with 
the most affectionate christian care, and which in the 
morning was flourishing and growing, as one of your 
favourite, rising hopes ; but which, before the evening, 
was cut down and withered, under the irresistible 
stroke of death ! How sudden the event, how affecting 
the change ! But the hand. Oh Lord, was thine ! A 
consideration sufficient to silence at once every mur- 
mur, and to bow the soul into adoring submission. For 
the Lord doth all thins^s well, and all that he does, 
concerning you, will, I doobt not, work for your good. 
Only be now still, and know that he is God : and here- 
after, you shall know what he has done, and why he 
has done so, to your unspeakable consolation and joy, 
and to his everlasting praise ; when in the light of heav- 
en and eternity, all that is now obscure, in the dispen- 
sations of his providence, in this twilight scene shall 
49 



'^^o LKTTEIIS. 

exhibit (he strokes of his wisdom, and (he benignitjr 
and iiiuni/icence of his love, in full meridian splendour. 
There and (hen jou will see and know, and feel, in a 
manner and degree far, far exceeding your present ca- 
pacitv, that God is Love, and that this God, jour Sa- 
viour, will be jour Gcd and portion, and jour exceed- 
ing great reward for ever ! In these views, and in this 
persuasion, surelj jou will w^eep under this renewed 
sorrow, as though jou wept not. Fain would I be the 
minister of comfort to j'ou. But I feel nij own insuffi- 
ciency, and therefore commend jou to the God of all 
grace and comfort, our compassionate Lord and Saviour, 
who bj his word and spirit comforts them that mourn, 
and binds up, cheers and heals, th€ hearts of his dear 
people, which he hath wounded and broken, not for 
his pleasure, but for their profit, that they maj become 
in a larger measure partakers of his holiness, and thus 
become qualified for an higher degree of the life and 
happiness which can be found onlj in his favour. All 
that we can do for you, will, I trust, be done with some- 
thing of the spirit of human and christian friendship ; 
we will slill give you the place of a favourite friend, in 
our afirec(ions, and in our sympathy ; and we will en- 
deavour to bear you on our hearts, particularly in our 
prayers. At (he same time, I cannot forbear to remind 
you of the satisfaction which we feel on your account, 
and of the ground of thankfulness to the God of your 
and our merries, which is aflorded, by the grace and 
strength which he has manifestly given you, (in answer 
to the prayer of faith) to prepare you for, and to sup- 
port you under, the renewed trial to which he has call- 
ed you. I( would seem, indeed, as if we had reason, 
rather to congratulate you, than to condole with you ; 



I 



LETTERS. 38r 

on account of those repeated, painful trials, with ^vliich 
3^ou have been visited, as in these jou have received 
the distinguishing tokens of your Heavenlj Father's 
love, who cha9te»/s those whom he loves, and often 
scourges, most severely, those whom he receives with 
peculiar regard and honor ; and as under these trials, 
he has so remarkably furnished you with strength ac- 
cording to your day, and with grace to enable you to 
glorify him in the day of visitation. In him may you 
still be enabled to hope, to trust, and to rejoice, as 
the God of your salvation, and the portion of your 
soul ; and may he still be with you, to keep you 
and to bless you, to bless you by all his dealings with 
you, and to conduct you in the right, the best way, to 
that everlasting rest which remaineth for his people! 

How melancholy is the account which you give, of 
the prevalence and the ravages of that fatal epidemic, 
the spotted fever, in Farmingron, and the towns adja- 
cent ; under which not only your dear Joseph Ebene- 
s'er, ("in whom you have lost the name, and a very 
striking portrait of your late husband, deservedly most 
dear to you,") but many other of your very near and 
dear friends, have fallen the lamented victims, " cut off 
in the midst of life and usefulness I" May it please 
the Lord speedily to say, to this destructive scourge, 
*< It is enough !" and restore that precior.s, but too gen- 
erally abused blessing of health, to the people, who 
have been visited with this awful chastisement of his 
holy hand ! to those who have been called to mourn 
under it, the loss of nearest connexions and dearest 
friends ; may he vouchsafe his supporting, sanctifying, 
comforting grace : and to the inhabitants generally, 
may the alarm and the distress which it has occasioned. 



388 LETTERS. 

be abundantly compensated, by the pouring out of his 
spirit from on high upon them, and by a glorious re- 
vival of the work of his grace among them, whereby 
multitudes may be turned from their sins, the causes of 
all God's judgments, and engaged to fly for refuge, to 
lay hold on the hope set before them, in the Saviour 
of sinners, in whom they will be secure from all that is 
truly formidable in sickness and death, and in whom 
they may at all times, and in all circumstances, triumph 
in the hope of a blessed and a glorious immortalily ! 

Tise goodness and mercy of the Lord, have remarka- 
bly attended us hitherto, since we left home, by sea 
and by land : and my health seems to be already sensi- 
bly improved. Oh for humble, thankful, obedient 
hearts I 

On the 11th or 12th inst. we expect, with Divine 
permission, to proceed on our journey eastward. As 
we travv^l slowly, and occasionally stay a little time 
where we find if convenient and agreeable, we may not, 
perhaps, reach Middleton till the week following, say 
about the 20jh. With a melancholy satisfaction, if the 
Lord so appoint, we will meet you there. How much 
greater would have been the pleasure of meeting you 
at home in Farminglon, with your family and friends 
around you in heallh and peace ! But the Lord knows 
best what is best for us, and his will be done ! My 
dear Jane is very well, and in christian love to you and 
yours, very cordially joins with your very aifcctionate 
friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



LETTERS. S89 



TO DR. F. 

CHARLESTON, OCTOBER 5, 1809. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

JL OUR kind, and good, and interestingleiler, extend- 
ing from the 30th of August, to the 7th of September, 
and reaching me, at this great distance, within the space 
of twenty three days, viz. on the SOlh ult. after taking 
leave of your pen, I now begiii to acknowledge, in 
the hope that this may be finished in time for travelling 
to you, in the course of a month at the farthest, from 
the present date. 

Some two or three months ago, I received, in a 
package with other books, &c. from Philadelphia, 
some two or three copies of the Report, &c. of the Bi- 
ble Society, lately established in that city, but with- 
out any letter accompanying them. On the subject of 
the establishment of a similar society in this city, I 
have thought again and again, and the result of my re- 
flections is, that the attempt is not likely to be attend* 
ed with the success that would be desirable. Among 
the reasons which have led to this conclusion, are, 1st, 
The existence of the Society for promoting the inter- 
ests of religion, consisting of members belonging to our 
own congregations here, &c. which embraces the gra^ 
tuitous distribution of the Bible, as one of its leading 
objects ; and, 2dly, and chiefly, the difliculty which 
exists here, of collecting, with any tolerable punctuality, 
the annual contributions, which may be subscribed to 



890 LETTERS. 

the support of Institutions, of a character so purely re- 
ligious. Liberal doiialions, in proportion to the re- 
sources of (he donors, to charitable ptjrpo»es, humane 
and pious, may be obtained here, with as much facili- 
ty, perhaps, as in any part of our land, city, or coun- 
try. But annual contributions, subscribed to the 
same purposes, do not seeui to be well recollected, at 
the time when they are due ; and they are often alto- 
gether, and for ever forgotten, or at least neglected. 
Whether this may be occasioned by the heat, or any 
other quality of our climate or atmosphere, relaxing 
the tenacity of the memory, and rendering it incapable 
of extending itself to the distance of a year, so as to 
recollect distinctly, and to meet cheerfully, the return 
of an annual period, when it comes round, demanding 
again the money, which having been once paid, was no 
more thought of; as to be paid again, is a question, 
which I leave to you, as a medical man, a chymist, and 
a philosopher, to solve. In the mean time, I have the 
satisfaction of informing you, that a subscription paper, 
headed by one of those pamphlets, has been lately put 
in motion among us, and that within a few days, while 
it was in my hands, were obtained three subscriptions 
of fifty dollars each, with some others from twenty, 
down to five dollars, amounting to upwards of two hun- 
dred dollars, as donations to the Philadelphia Bible 
Society, It has since been committed to the attentions 
of a friend, who I presume has obtained considerable 
additions to the above sum 5 and after receiving it 
again, I hope to have an opportunity of handing it to 
some other friends, with further success ; say, now, $270* 
Giving the Bible to those who are not «7>/e to purchase 
it, or who would have their attention to it particular- 



LETTERS. 391 

]y excited, by (be circuaisiance of Ibeir receiving it as 
a 'present, bas long been res^aided bj me as one < f «lie 
most important and proiitising objects, to wliicli the 
cbaiitj orcbrislians can be direcled ; and more espec- 
ial!/ so, (he giving of the Bible, in their native hmgtia' 
ges, to the Heathen nations^ who are capable of itad- 
ing if, and who are williog to receive aiui read it, when 
thus presented to (hea!. Thus disposed, it seems are 
many, very many, among the \arious popak)?is raJJons 
of the East, at (his day. Arid what christian can for- 
bear most cordially wisiiing, " God 8peed," to those 
noble spirited, generous hearted lovers of Jesus, and 
friends of Zion, who are at this day, \hu^ giTing the 
Book of God to those people, who have been ?o long 
destitute of its Di\ine and saving light ; and there- 
fore perishing, because, in their regions, there has been 
no such heavenly vision, to guide them into the way 
of salvation ? 

October 9lh. Have yon seen the Star in the East ? 
I mean Dr. Buchanan's Missionary Sermon, lately 
preached in England, and published under this title .^ 
If not, you have a pleasure yet to come. Il is truly 
an evangelical, eloquent, and most excellent discourse, 
and gives us more satisfactory information, re^^pecting 
the progress and the triumphs of the gospel, in the 
countries of the East, than any publication which I 
have seen. He tells the people of Britain, that they 
have it in their power, greatly to promote (he cause of 
Christianity in Intlia, but that they have no power to de- 
stroy it ; that it would be as easy to extinguish Christ- 
ianity in Great Britain, as in India ; where there are 
thousands, and hundreds of thousands of christians, 
and that while the people of Great Britain are contend- 
ing, whether it be a proper thing to convert the Hin- 



392 LETTERS. 

doos, they will go on extending the bounds of their 
churches, and enjoying the blessings of the gospel, re- 
gardless of all opposition. What christian heart will 
not leap for joj, at such good news, and what christian 
hand would not, ifit had opportunity, open itself wide in 
ministering to the support, and promotion of so glorious 
a cause ? On the last sabbath of September, I took the 
liberty of presenting in my discourse, some extracts to 
my hearers, from this admirable sermon, and of com- 
mending it to their perusal. In the course of the Tues- 
day following, of an hundred copies that were on sale, 
at M's book store, not one remained to be purchased. 
But a new supply is ordered. 
I am, very affectionately, yours, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 
TO DR. F. 

CHARliEST02T, DECEMBER 15,1816. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

The death of Major Lawrence must be deeply 
felt as an heavy loss, to his family and friends, and 
also to your church, of which he was an eminently wor- 
thy member and deacon, and a zealous, active, liberal 
supporter. To himself, I doubt not, it has been gain 
indeed, gain, unspeakably great and everlasting ! 
Through a mistake, respecting a message left at my 
house, when I was out, I did not know of his being in 
town, when he made his late and last visit to this city, 
till he had been several days at Mrs. S's. I called to 
see him there two or three times. The scene on those 



LETTERS. 393 

©ccasions, was, in my view, interesting and instructive 
to all concerned ; and consoling and animating to the 
friends of Jesus and of Zion, in a degree which I have 
rarely seen equalled, and still more rarely, if ever, sur- 
passed. His views of Christ, as the most needful, and 
suitable, and sufficient, and precious Saviour ot his soul : 
his faith, trust, and hope in him, his grateful love to 
him, and his calm, sweet submission to his holy will, 
and wise disposal ; his affectionate desire to live to the 
Lord, his Maker and Redeemer, and to die to him, 
and to glorify and enjoy him for ever : his cordial sat- 
isfaction and cheerful confidence in committing his 
family, and friends, and the church, to the care and 
keeping, and blessing of the same gracious God and 
Saviour, with whom he had intrus^ed his own soul, and all 
his interests, temporal, spiritual and eternal ; and the 
unaffected humilTty, which he manifested, as floiving 
from a deep sense of his sinfulness and unworthiness ; 
all combined to throw such a lustre around the scene, 
in which this good man was suffering and glorifying 
God, as made it appear indeed, to be privileged beyond, 
far beyond, the brightest and most admired scenes of 
worldly joy. In tins case, surely we may well " con- 
gratulate the de-Ad^ and crown his tomb with wreathes 
triumphant." While affection and friendship, while 
humanity and piety, drop their tears to his memory, let 
his example, as it displayed the power of Divine grace 
in his life, and in his death, excite and engage us to be 
better followers of hitn, and of all them, who through 
faith and patience have gone to inherit the promises of 
grace fulfilled in glory ! 

I still feel, as I have been accustomed heretofore to 

feel, very sensibly for your little church, tossed by iso 
^0 



394 " LETTERS. 

many storms, and fried in so many ways. But if our 
Lord has a cause to support among you, he will not 
leave you helpless, nor comfortless, nor lifeless. May 
you not take encouragement, from the things which 
your Lord has shewn you in the way of mercy and fa- 
vour, in the midst of all your difficulties and fears, that 
he does not intend to kill you, and that he will not 
leave you to perish ? Still pray and hope, and wait 
for a time of reviving and refreshing from his presence. 
Some new blessings, I hope will be sent to you by the 
hand of your worthy pastor, now at length mercifully 
restored to you, after so long an absence. As he 
couies back to you with a desirable addition to his 
health, which stood in great need of recruiting, I trust 
he will at the same time, have come to you again, in 
the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ .' If 
it be the will of the great Head of the church, to up- 
hold you, and make you fruitful as a branch of that 
church, which he has bought with his blood, and which 
he honors with his constant presence, protection, and 
favour; he will provide you with friends, helpers, and re- 
sources, for supporting the ordinances and ministrations 
of his gospel among you. And the interpositions of 
his Providence, for this purpose, may be often the most 
confidently expected, by a bold and adventurous faith, 
when timid reason, and cowardly sense, and a subtle, 
malicious adversary, would tempt you most to despond. 
" What time I am afraid, I will trust in the Lord." 
Truly my soul waiteth upon God, from him cometh my 
salvation. " My soul, wait thou only upon God, for 
my expectatioH is from him. He only is my rock and 
my salvation ; he is my defence, I shall not be mov- 
ed," &c.* 

* Psalm Ixii, 



LETTERS. 395 

Our Bible Society, is just beginning to distribute its 
Bibles, with the prospect of increasing demand upon 
its funds, as soon as its charitable design shall be ex- 
tensivelj known. General f . lately sent ns a goO 
Bank Note, informing us, that he believed he could dis- 
tribute a considerable number of Bibles in his neigh- 
bourhood, with advantage. We enrolled him a mem- 
ber for life, and sent hiin three dozen Bibles. More 
than a dozen dozen have been applied for, to supply 
the wants of the poor in other quarters ; and it is not 
doubted, that applications will increase, as distribu- 
tions are made. Farewell. 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



TO MR. J. S. 

CHARLESTOWN, (MaSS.) AUGUST lltti-— 14th, 1808. 

MY DEAR SIR, 

About the 20th of July, while we were 
in Middleton, Connecticut, a very acceptable letter, 
written by your good daughter M. our much esteemed 
friend, together with another from Mr. H. came safely 
to hand. The receipt of M's letter was acknowledged, 
in a long letter which J. had been writing ; and it is hop- 
ed that it may have, in due time, found a safe con- 
veyance to Charleston. As my little secretary crowd- 
ed half a dozen pages of her letter to her friend, wilh a 
variety of particulars relative to our journey, ihe de- 
lightful scenes through which we had passed, and the 
many acquaintances and friends, new and old, with 
whom we had the pleasure of spending some time on 



396 LETTERS. 

our way, and especially respecf ing our very dear friend, 
Mrs. W. and several of her worthy connexions, &c. &c. 
1 refer you to those communications for the information, 
which I know you and all your good family would be 
desirous of receiving from us, after our departure from 
Philadelphia ; and I am happy in being able to come off 
so well, in having your friendly wishes in this respect 
gratified, without being obliged myself to undertake the 
task, which she has executed wilh much more facility, 
and much more minutely and satisfactorily, than it 
would have been done by my own pen. There is, in- 
deed, scarcely any employment more burdensome and 
fatiguing to me, than that of writing. Let not the three 
4to sheets, which I sent you from Philadelphia, or this 
folio now, be interpreted as furnishing a contradiction 
to the preceding observation; for one principal reason 
of my giving you such lengthy scrawls, when I do take 
lip my pen, is, because I do not calculate on writing oft- 
en. Yet you see that I am not disposed to be cere- 
monious with you, as I do not wait for an answer to my 
long letter sent from Philadelphia, before I begin again, 
with some prospect, if I can find leisure sufficient, of 
filling up for you the formidable sheet now before me. 
I am indeed sorry that there was such an apology to 
be offered in your behalf, for omitting to write to rne, as 
that suggested in M's letter, viz. the great debility 
which you felt, under the oppressive heat of the 
weather. In that respect, I hope from the agreeable 
changes of the weather, you may have experienced de- 
sirable relief from time to time ; and at all events, I 
persuade myself, that as is your day, so will be your 
strength, especially in the inward man. And highly 
privileged, and eminently favoured, shall we respective- 



LETTERS. 397 

ly be, if the strength of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ, be made perfect in our weakness; and if his 
grace be made sufficient for us, in all the seasons and 
circumstances of life, and especially in its closing scene, 
the solemn, trying hour of death, how important, how 
desirable, when in that interesting hour, our heart and 
flesh shall fail us, to have the Lord our Redeemer then 
with us, as the strength of our heart, and the portion of 
our soids for ever ! And thus shall all be favoured and 
blessed, who have lived by faith in him, as the Lord 
their righteousness and strength. Thev who are pre- 
pared to die, in and through him, shall be made more 
than conquerors over the last enemy ; and when dis^ 
missed from the labours and trials, the comforts and sor- 
rows of earth and time, shall be ever with their Lord, 
beholding his glory, and partaking of his joy. May 
such be the happiness enjoyed by us, and by all in 
whose present and everlasting welfare, we are bound to 
feel our hearts most deeply and tenderly interested. 

From Middleton, on the 25th July, we proceeded 
about 10 or 11 miles to Weathersfield, accou'panied by 
our friend Mrs. W. On the 27ih we dined with the 
Rev. Dr. M. in Weathersfield, where we experienced a 
cordial hospitality, and very polite and pleasing atten- 
tions, during the few hours of our stay in that worthy 
family. Towards the evening we went on to Hartford, 
having still the pleasure of Mrs. W's company. Her 
oldest brother lives here, who is a very pious man, and 
in respect to religion, is much blessed in his family. 
We spent the night in the family of Mr. N. whose wife, 
a pious and worthy woman, is a daughter of Lieutenant 
Governor T. Mrs. N. had been lately called to mourn 
the death of a sister, the pious mother of five or sis 



398 LETTERS. 

small children, one of the victims of the fatal spotted fe- 
ver, which was then prevailing in Farmington. Hav- 
ing enjojed here, a scene of mingled satisfaction and 
sorrow, we set out on our journey on the following day 
at an early hour, leaving our highly esteemed, and 
very affectionate friend, Mrs. W. wilh mutual, painful 
regret. 

From Hartford we pursued our journey through a 
number of beautiful towns, and afterwards through some 
miles of rugged country, where the houses were few, 
and steeples rare, to the flourishing town of Provi- 
dence, in the state of Rhode Island. There, with a 
large party of ladies and gentlemen from Boston, we 
dined ; and after dinner, turning out of the direct 
course for Boston, we went down to Bristol, (R. I.) 
where, from Friday evening till Monday morning, we 
staid at the hospitable mansion of Mr. J. R. elder 
brother of Mr. N. R. of our city. He is a worthy and 
good man, and gave me reason to hope, that he would 
at length join himself to the church, which he has for 
many years thought of doing, but from an apprehension 
of his unworthiness, has till now omitted. His sister 
has been long in communion with the church, and is a 
most agreeable woman, and excellent christian. The 
simplicity and godly sincerity, and the cordial friend- 
ship, with which we were received and entertained by 
these worthy persons, and the desirable opportunity 
which we had, for enjoying with them the freedoms of 
christian conversation, made our time pass there very 
pleasantly indeed ; and I hope it was not altogether 
spent in vain. On Monday morning they kindly ac- 
companied us on our way to the ferry, two miles from 
their house, where we took an affectionate leave of 



LETTERS. 899 

them. We went forward, through a most delightful 
country, and with the most charming land and water 
prospects on every side, to Newport. 

On Thursday, the 4th August, we turned our course 
again for Boston, 72 miles distant from Newport ; and 
towards the evening of the following day, passed 
through that ancient and renowned town, to the charm- 
ing habitation of our very worthy, and kind, and pleas- 
ant friends ; where their truly benevolent and affection- 
ate attentions, constrained us to feel ourselves very 
much indeed at home. 

August 12th, Mrs. K. is much better this morning, 
while I have myself, since yesterday morning, been 
considerably indisposed with a cold and cough, at- 
tended with some fever ; but the symptoms to day 
seem to indicate, that the indisposition may prove to be 
slight and transient. Dr. and Mrs. M. are well ; he, as 
usual, is deeply engaged in a variety and multiplicity 
of business, and takes an active part among a number of 
faithful brelhren, who are of the congregational clergy 
of this state ; by whose united counsels, several highly 
important measures have been adopted, and are now 
carrying into execution, ,with a zeal worthy of the 
friends of Zion, and with the most promising prospect 
of success, for the support and promotion of evangelical 
truth, and of the church which the Redeemer has 
bought with his blood. Among the measures alluded 
to, are the forming of a General Association of the nu- 
merous ministers throughout the state, who love and 
preach the doctrines of grace, generally denominated 
Calvinistic ; the circulation of that valuable periodical 
work, the Panoplist, the publication of which commenc- 
ed with 1250 copies, and has now risen to more than 
4000, the collecting of a new church, and the erection' 



400 LETTERS. 

of a spacious house of worship in Boston, and the 
founding of a Theological school at Andover, for the 
purpose of securing to pious joungmen, candidates for 
the gospel ministry, the best means for pursuing their 
studies in divinity, and acquiring the qualifications, by 
which they may be prepared, to support the character, 
and discharge the duties of pastors and teachers, with 
the greatest honor to themselves, and benefit to the 
churches. The success which has already attended 
the endeavours to obtain adequate fundw, for this excel- 
lent institution, has been astonishingly great, and seems 
to afford a most encouraging evidence, that the work is 
of the Lord, and that it will be prospered by his bless- 
ing. As a sample of the auspicious beginning of this 
great and good work, under His smiles, who has the 
hearts of all men in his hands, I cannot forbear mention- 
ing the names of a few of its benefactors, and the amount 
of the truly generous and noble benefactions by which 
they have, with the highest credit to their own chris- 
tian characters and principle?, expressed their appro- 
bation of it, and their pious, ardent zeal for its establish- 
ment and usefulness : viz. Mr. Norris, of Salem, 
^10,000; Mr. Brown, of Newburyport, ^10,000 ; Mr. 
Bartlett, also of Newburyport, in cash, g20,000, and 
funds which give an interest, making them adequate to 
the further sum of ^15,000; Mr. Abbot, of Andover, 
§20,000 ; Madam Philips and son erect a building, valu- 
ed at the sum of 16,000 ; the late Lieutenant Governor 
Philips §5,000, the interest for charitable distribution, 
in religious books, &c. All the above, lately given, in 
addition to funds previously on hand, to the amount 
of §20,000, provided for the support of theological stu- 
dents, &c. And from one of the above gentlemen, who 



LETTERS. 401 

is advanced in jears and has no children ; the patrons of 
the institution expect to receive, in due time, in addi- 
tion to the sum of ^20,000 already given, the further 
value of 20 or g30,000, to be left by will ; say amount 
total ^140,000 or 150,000. How highly privileged are 
the persons, to whom the Lord has graciously given 
the means, with the hearty for performing such munifi- 
cent and beneficial acts of christian charity ! And how 
animating the prospect opened by the word of God, to 
all who love Zion, and seek her good, according to the 
means in their power, when it is declared that they 
shall themselves prosper ; and that they who thus sow 
bountifully, shall also reap bountifully. I had forgot to 
tell you, that three professors, to fill three departments 
in this contemplated Theological School, are already ap- 
pointed : viz. Rev. Dr. Woods, Dr. Pearson, late of 
Cambridge University, and Dr. Griffin, of Newark, 
New Jersey, if his own consent and that of his church 
can be obtained. 

It has given me peculiar pleasure on our journey to 
find, that in many of the churches in which we have been, 
and in many more from which we have heard, there are 
pleasing and growing revivals of religion, confirming the 
precious truth, that when the enemy of the church 
comes in like a flood, to overwhelm the church, the spirit 
of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him, and 
adapted to animate the praises and the prayers, and ex- 
ertions of all who prefer the cause of Jerusalem, involv- 
ing in it all the great, immortal interests of mankind, 
above their chief joy. It is my prayer and hope, that 
our own church, to which I feel myself united, in a most 
interesting relation, and by many of the most endearing 

ties, will Btill be favoured by the glorious Head of the 
51 



40f LETTERS. 

church unirersal, wilh a rich supply of those blessings 
of his grace, which he is at ihh day 5*howering down so 
abundantly on other branches of it. May he preserve 
my fellow labourer in the enjoyment of health and 
strength, and abundantly prosper his labours of love 
among our dear people, during my absence ; may our 
Lord's peace and blessing be wiJh him and his family^ 
and the whole church ; and may his prayers, and those 
of the church, in which we desire still to be kindly re- 
membered, be heard and answered, in such blessings of 
the providence and grace of God, as may be best for us. 
Amidst all the delightful scenes with which we are here 
surrounded, and the very pleasing attentions of the ma- 
ny , many worthy and amiable christian friends, whose 
society we have been and are dally enjoying, our hearts 
still anticipate, with peculiar pleasure, the desired pe- 
riod when, if the Lord will, we shall again be restored 
to the circle of our affectionately beloved and xery dear 
friends in Charleston, among whom we particularly 
number yourself and your good family. 

In love and best wishes to you all, Mrs. K. cordially 
joins with your friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



i-ETTEKS. 403 



ii'^* 



TO DR. M. 

CHARLESTON, SEPTEMBER 25, tO 28, 1811. 
MY DEAR FRIEND, 

J^ouR favour of July 20(h, ult. did not come 
to hand until near the close of August. Mr. J. L. the 
bearer of it, was favoured with a very fine passage of 
about four days. We were glad to see him at home 
again, safe and well ; and glad to receive by him, your 
friendly epistolary communications, always welcome, 
and highly valued ; and mingled on this occasion with 
the pleasure of seeing a dear friend, who had so lately 
seen our dear friends, in such good health, and had en- 
joyed the hospitality of their house, and the overflow^ 
ing benevolence and friendship of their hearts, with 
such a cordial relish and high satisfaction. Right glad 
indeed, should we have been, to have partaken of the 
rich/east, which was mutually enjoyed by yourselves, 
Mr. H. Mr, L. &c. And not less glad would we be to 
have you both here again, partaking of the plain fare of 
our friendship, reciprocated by the flow of your souls. 
But whether such a desirable season of personal, pleas- 
ing;* interesting intercourse, is ever to be renewed, in 
C ton or in C town^ depends entirely on the 
sovereign will and wise appointment of our Lord, in 
whose hands our times are, and whose are all our ways, 
and who doth all things well, whether he grants or 



404 LETTERS. 

withholds the desires of our hearts, with respect to the 
circumstances or events of this mortal life. May he 
teach us his will, and give us the experience of that pe- 
culiar happiness, which is found in doing if, and in sub- 
mitting to it from the heart ! 

We cannot express the pleasure which we have felt 
in hearing from time to time, of the very comfortable 
state of health to which you have been mercifully re- 
stored, and which you have both generally enjoyed, 
since your visit to this city. May this blessing be 
long continued to you both, for your own comfort, and 
for the temporal and eternal benefit of many others ; 
and especially of your dear children, and the children 
of friends, towards whom you are acting the part of the 
most affectionate and faithful parents. 

Our Bible Society has succeeded much beyond my 
first expectations in its favour, I intend sending you a 
'copy of the printed Report of its proceedings, during 
the first year of its existence. Our church is blessed 
with some desirable tokens of the presence and blessing 
of its glorious and gracious Lord and Head. The so- 
cieties meeting in our house on Wednesday evening, 
have been uncommonly full, through the spring and 
summer, and the attention to the religious exercises on 
those occasions, has been close and solemn, and in many 
instances, especially of the young persons attending, 
the most tender and serious impressions have been 
manifested. Several of these, and among them. Miss 
S. H. with two or three other amiable young ladies, are 
expected to join the church on the next sacramental 
season. May these pleasing, refreshing drops, increase 
to an abundant shower of grace, and many more happy 



iiETTERS, 405 

individuals, partaking of its rich blessings, be added to 
the church, among such as shall be saved. 

Thursday morning, 26th. Last evening, the society 
here was still larger than it has ever been before. 
The number must have amounted to but little short of 
two hundred persons, among whom were a considerable 
proportion of our Episcopal neighbours, and very 
many young persons, their parents' joy, and the rising 
hopes of the church. May the Lord bless them, and 
make them a seed to serve him, and honor theai as the 
instruDients of transmitting ihe blessings of his gospel 
to the generation which is to follow them ! 

You have no doubt, through the channel of the news- 
papers, received some information of the dreadfuHor- 
nado^ which passed through our city, on the 10th day 
of this month ; which was, in the suddenness of its at- 
tack, the rapidity of its progress, and the destruction 
of life and property that marked its course, one of 
the most awful temporal calamities with which our city 
has ever been visited. The terrors of the scene far 
exceeded all the descriptive powers of language ; and 
imagination itself would fain shrink from the contem- 
plation of them. When we think of a multitude of the 
dwellings of men, perhaps an hundred or more, many of 
which were among the fairest and strongest in our city, 
assailed by the violence of this mighty whirlwind, and 
shaken in an instant into heaps of ruins, or shattered 
and damaged to a degree, but little short of destruc- 
tion ; when we think of a number of the inhabitants of 
these dwellings, exceeding at least half a score, crush- 
ed, at the same instant, down to the shades of death 4 
while others scarcely escaped with painful, if not dan- 
gerous and fatal fractures and wounds ; and others againj 



406 LETTERS. 

were rescued from the yawning jaws of destruction 
almost, if not entirely unhurt, as by miracles of mercy ; 
and when we think of this destructive tornado, passing 
in a space of considerable breadth, saj 60 or 70 yards, 
from one extremity ofourcily to another, almost wilh 
the rapidity of lightning, scarcely giving the alarm of 
its approach, before the desolation attending its pro- 
gress was completed ; our souls cannot but still shud- 
der at the recollection of a scene so tremendous, so 
distressing in its circumstances and its consequences ! 

For a detailed account of this awful calamity, I re- 
fer you to the newspaper which accompanies this, the 
Times, of September 17th. This is stated to be a re- 
vised account, printed a week after the dreadful occur- 
rence. It is, however, far from being very full, and in 
some instances, it is v^ry incorrect. To you, howev- 
er, who are so well acquainted in this city, the partic- 
ulars included in this account, the best that has yet 
been published, will no doubt be very interesting ; and 
probably, the editors of your papers, may not have 
thought it necessary to communicate such a detailed 
account in their papers ; as not supposing, that in this 
form, it would command much of the attention of the 
public in your region, where only a few of their read- 
ers have any particular knowledge of Charleston, or 
its inhabitants. It is for this reason that I send the 
paper above mentioned, under the same cover wilh this. 
On visiting Mr. R. and family, the day after the ca- 
lamity, while in the survey of the very great injury 
done to his spacious and elegant mansion, and furniture, 
the eye could not fail deeply to affect the heart. It was 
at the same time peculiarly consolatory and gratifying, 
to hear the whole family uniting in expressions of the 



LETTERS, 40r 

warmest gratitude, to the adorable Preserver of men, 
who had given them, in the midst of the ruins with 
which they were surrounded, (heir own lives for a prej, 
without havins; suffered any material injury in their per^ 
sons. Mrs R. with the piety and humilily, so well 
becoming her christian profession, and her exemplary 
liberality, in which she and her worthy husband have 
long been distinguished and honorable rivals, observed, 
" that probably this heavy stroke had been infiick d, 
as a correction and admonition, for the purpose of ex- 
citing them to make a better improvemenf of the posses- 
sions', with which a bountiful Providence had intrusted 
them, and to do more good with them in future, than 
they had heretofore done ;" and they, one and all, con- 
curred in expressinac the hope, that the lives wliich the 
Lord had «o remarkably made his care, would be more 
Dnreservedly devoted to him, and more faithfully em- 
ploved in his serxire. As in all cases, so especially 
in such seasons and circnmstances, how glorioiij*, how 
amiable, does the reli2;ion of Jesus appear ! And how 
secure and happv, are bis genuine friends and followers, 
amidst " the war of elements and the crush of worlds !" 
The article in the first column of the newspaper, 
irhich mentions the singular preservation of two young 
Zrrrf?V.9, relates to the family of our friend, the hon* 
Judffe D. One of those ladies was his married daugh- 
ter, Mr**. G. who was daily lookinsr out for the period of 
her confinement, which took place very soon after she 
was rescued from the ruins of the fallen chambers, with 
which she was for a time completely coxered, and un- 
der which she was not discovered, by her astonished 
and distressed husband, and parents, and family, until 
nhe was enabled to speak, and begged ihem not to step 



408 LETTERS. 

on her. She was not Ijing on the bed, but,* hav- 
ing gone out of her chamber into the drawing roora^ 
where most of the family were together, in order to in- 
quire what was the cause of the alarm, which was at 
first supposed to be a dreadful fire, she had just enter- 
ed her chamber again, at the N. E. corner of the house, 
when she met the glass of the windows, driven furiously 
all over the room, and hastened towards the head of 
the bed, for the purpose of sheltering herself with the 
pillows from the injury, which she apprehended from 
the fragments of glass, and of the broken sashes. The 
negro girl, about 15 or 16 years of age, who was killed 
by her side, had run under the bed at the same time, 
to avoid the same danger ; and her sister Eliza, the 
next daughter younger than Miss C. had but just entered 
the chamber, when an immense stack of chimnies, con- 
taining five or six funnels, was precipitated through the 
roof of the house, brinsjing along with it the floor and 
ceiling of the garret, directly over this chamber, which, 
with the several persons, and all the articles in it, was 
immediately added to the falling mass, and the whole 
accumulated weight, descending to the floor of the 
room below, carried that also with all its contents, 
down to the cellar, which was used as a kitchen. Out 
of the lower room, one of the younger sons of the fami- 
ly had fled but a moment before, and in his fright 
and haste, fell over the sill of the door, where one of 
his feet was just grazed by some of the falling materi- 
als ; and out of the kitchen cellar, an elderly black wo- 
man, the cook of the family, had run to see where the 
supposed fire was, and a negro fellow, who heard the 
crash above, had the presence of mind to jump out of 
the window, in the very instant before the place yvm 



LETTERS. 409 

filled with the descending ruins. In the midst of these 
ruins, some of the furniture of Mrs. G*s chamber, di- 
rected by the invisible hand of her Almightj and most 
gracious Protector, had fallen around and over her in 
such a manner, as to defend her in a great measure 
from the bricks, and the pieces of tiaiberj which woidd 
otherwise, probably, have overwhelmed her with in- 
stant destruction. She suffered only some 6esh bruises, 
which she scarcely felt at first, but which have since 
been attended with considerable pain, but from which 
it is hoped she will be soon happily relieved. Her 
unborn infant, a fine son, escaped unhurt. Her sister 
E. was but slightly bruised, though much more alarm- 
ed and agitated than herself. Through the broken 
roof, and the now tremendous void space between 
that and the cellar, the rain, which followed (he tornado, 
poured down like a torrent, by which Mrs. G. and 
the family, anxiously engaged in looking for her, and in 
extricating her from her most distressing and perilous 
situation, were almost as effectually drenched, as if 
they had been pliinged into a river. Yet from this 
circumstance, neither she nor any of the family, I be- 
lieve, has suffered any injury. In a word, the circum- 
stances of this very respectable and amiable family, on 
this solemn occasion, were peculiarly affecting and in- 
teresting. The alarm and the distress, the preserva- 
tion and the deliverance experienced, were equally re- 
markable. Amidst the terrors of a scene unspeakably 
awful, what wonders of divine power and mercy were 
displayed ? The hearts of the family generally, and 
especially of the worthy affectionate parents, have been, 
as yon may well suppose, very tenderly and deeply 

impressed with the sentiments of reverence, adoration, 
52 



410 LETTERS. 

and gratitude, towards Him who directed ai^d coBtroH- 
ed the storm, who in the midst of judgnoent, remem- 
bered and shewed mercy, in a manner so remarkable^ 
and so wonderful ! May their souls rejoice in his salva- 
tion, spiritual as well as temporal, and all their lives be 
praise ! This awful and destructive tornado, passed 
within less than an hundred yards of our house, at the 
intersection of Tradd Street, on which we live ; and 
King Street, to the eastward of us, where it did some 
damage, in blowing down part of a brick wall of the 
garden, and blowing off some of the slate or shingles 
from the roof of the house. We distinctly heard the 
tremendous roaring of this mighty wind, from its first 
entrance, and the commencement of its ravages in our 
city. The sound was like that of many carriages, rat- 
tling over a rough pavement, or rather like that of many 
chiranies on fire, and in full blaze at the same time. 
We at first supposed it to be thunder, and then appre- 
hended that a dreadful fire had bursted forth in the 
bouse of our near neighbour, or in our own bouse im- 
mediately over our heads : and then we saw a multi- 
tude of slates, which had been hurled through the air 
from Mr. R's buildings, mingled with shingles and 
pieces of broken laihs, and rafters, &c. from other 
houses near to us, falling in an horrid shower, all around 
our habitafion ; while we knew not yet the cause of all 
this wild uproar, and of these alarming appearances, 
our astonishment and agitation, you may well suppose, 
were very great ; never indeed greater, if ever equalled, 
on any other occasion. The desolation made in our 
city, was completed in a very few minutes, and we re- 
mained for some time in a state of painful suspense, 
before we were informed of the nature, and the ex- 



LETTERS. 411 

lent of the calamity. Ob, how peculiarly merciful 
and kind was (he protecting care of our God, " who 
was our refuge, and covered us with (he shadow of his 
wings, until this calamity was overpast;" and suffered 
not *< the evil to fall upon our persons, nor to come nigh, 
or nearer to our dwelling !** May our lives, and all 
the personal and domestic comforts of them, be hence- 
forth consecrated with increased gratitude, affection, 
and zeal, to the service and glory of the God of our sal- 
vation and of our mercies ! 

On the following sabbath, I endeavoured to stir up 
my own heart, and to engage the hearts of my numer- 
ous hearers, to some suitable religious improvement 
of this awful visitation of divine Providence, in a dis- 
course on the 8th verse of the xlvi. Psalm. " Come 
and behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he 
hath made in the earth !" The audience was remark- 
ably attentive and solemn, and the minds of many, it is 
hoped, were usefully impressed. How desirable 
■would it be, if the inhabitants of our city generally, all 
of whom have seen, and many of whom have deeply 
felt the judgments of God, which have been abroad 
among us, would now learn righteousness ; would now 
repent and turn from all their transgressions ; so that 
iniquity may not yet be their ruin ! And may the 
Lord grant us his grace, to dispose and constrain us to 
" return unto Him, who hath smitten and torn us, that 
he may heal and bind us up'* again ; and by a glorious 
revival of his work of grace, and display of his sal- 
vation among us, give us " to see good, according to 
the days in which we have seen evil !" 

Yours, very affectionately, 

ISAAC S. KEITH, 



412 LETTERS. 



TO MRS. H. 

ON THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND. 

CHARLESTON, JUNE 22, 1813.. 

1 HE interesfing communication from the pen 
of Mrs. T. under date of April 27!b, informing us of ihe 
heavy affliction with which it had pleased the Lord to 
\ijjit jou, our dear friend, by faking from you, wilh a 
stroke, your dear and excellent husband, we received 
in due course by mail. I much regret, that the due ac- 
knowledgment of that letter has been so long delayed. 
This has been occasioned, parfly by my absence in the 
country, and partly by long continued bodily indisposi- 
tion, produced by a severe cold, which has unfitted me 
for almost any active exertion, and has made the labour 
of writing, especially, extremely irksooie to me. 
My health is now, through mercy, a little better; but 
#when in the best state, in which I have enjoyed it for a 
considerable tiiiie past, it is \ery infirm and delicate ; 
and thus it is adapted to remind me, that ** the time is 
short," and to renew from day today, with a strong 
impression, the solemn admonition, " Be thou also 
ready !" 

Such instruction and admonition have been of late, in- 
deed, particularly enforced, as with *' line upon line," 
by the deaths of some near and highly valued connex- 
ions and friends ; especially a beloved sister in Penn- 
sylvania, and of several of my brethren in the ministry. 
Considering the comparatively small number of gospel 



LETTERS. 41S 

ni}ni«5fers in this country, an iiniisnal proportion died in 
fbe course of the past suiniuer and falL And since 
yoiir visit lo J be soulhvvdrd, no less than three of that 
linle band of [lious and worthy brethren, wlio then fre- 
quenJli rnel and t<pei»l many pleasing, impro\ ing, social 
boins toge({)er here, and at the same time, mingled 
their anxio.is benevolent feelings, and prayers, and ef- 
forts, for accompiishins; an object most important and 
desirable to individuals, and to Ihe church of Christ 
onr I^oid, have ceased from their labonrs, and gone to 
the rest which remainelh for the people of God. First 
I)i. Abeel, of New York, then Dr. Clarkson, of John's 
Island, in September last ; and now, your dear Mr. II. 
whose memory will be long affectionately cherished by 
many here, as well as by many more, nearer the scenes 
of bis principallabours and usefulness. 

That season, rejnarkable for the meeting of several 
of the worthiest and best ministers of the northern 
churches, in this southern region, and made peculiarly 
pleasant to us by the company of such good and agreea- 
ble friends, how soon did it pass away ! And how often 
has it been since recollected, with the \arious mingled 
emotionsof pleasure, of regret, 'and o^ apprehension ; the 
apprehension that it was not, in all its circumstances, to 
be ever renewed on earth ; as it was not probable that 
we should all meet again on this side of the eternal 
world. That apprehension has been painfully realized, 
once and again, in the cases of those who were in the 
succeeding seasons summoned away ; and now, in the 
case of your dear husband, who has followed them, and 
again met with (hem, before the throneof their common 
Lord, in his heavenly kingdom ! Happy they, who 



414 LETTERS. 

have thus entered into the joj of their Lord, while we 
are yet left to mourn here below ! 

Your sorrows, my dear friend, under Jhe bereaving 
stroke of the holy hand of God, which has fallen so 
heavily upon you, are shared by the affectionate, sym- 
pathizing hearts of a number of kind friends here, as 
well as by our own. But none, I believe, experience 
indeed has taught me to believe that none, excepting 
those who have felt it, can properly estimate Ihe great- 
ness and poignancy of the affliction, invohed in the 
loss of the best of friends, long enjoyed in the nearest 
and tenderest of all mortal connexions, and possessed 
in an high degree of the qualifications which made them 
the most desirable and valuable companions and help- 
ers, in all the variety of circumstances and interests, 
pertaining to life and godliness. They who are called 
to suffer such a loss as this, have reason indeed to say, 
^* I am the person that has seen affliction." Such is 
the language which you have now learned by experi- 
ence, to adopt as your own ; and the painful import of 
it, you will feel for a long time to come, and often with 
increased emotions, when you reflect, that the face 
once 80 pleasant to behold, you will no more see in the 
land of the living ; that the interchange of hearts, of 
joys, of sorrows, and cares, and the sweet counsels 
taken together in the ways of God ; in short, the vari- 
ous hours and instances of intimate, social, friendly, 
christian intercourse, will recur no more ; that his ex- 
ample of an humble and close walk with God, of sin- 
cere and fervent piety, of faithfulness to God and man, 
in scenes of active duty in public and private, and of 
calm submission to the divine will, under sufferings and 
trials, will shine no more before you and othersi for 



LETTERS. 41^ 

your and their instruction, encouragement, and comfort; 
and that no more will his heart, with his voice, be lifted 
up at the mercy seat, in prayer for jou and your child- 
ren ; for the church, his country, and the world. But 
why should I thus open afresh the wounds of your 
bleeding hearl, by reminding you of the greatness, the 
extent of your loss ? Rafher let me attempt to sooth 
and alleviate the anguish and bitterness of your soul, 
which must be felt, when such recollections are exclu- 
sively indulged, by reminding you what reason yoii 
have at the same time, for consolation and thankfulness, 
as you have not been called to sorrow, like one having 
no hope, for your dear departed friend ; but on the 
contrary, to be comforted, and to rejoice on his account, 
in the persuasion that he now rests from his labours 
and trials on earth, and has entered into the joy^ 
the full and everlasting joy of his Lord, in heaven ! ! 
Take then your harp from the willows, and with sub- 
mission and gratitude, with tears of joy, and the antici- 
pations of hope, sing away your sorrows, believing and 
persuaded, that 

** His months of affliction are o'er. 
His days and his nights of distress ; 
You see him in luiguish no more. 
He's gained his happy release. 

No sickness, or sorrow, or pain« 
Shall ever disquiet him now ; 
For death to his spirit was gain, 
Since Christ was his life when helow." 

And now when the earthen vessel, to which the rich 
treasure of the gospel was committed, and which con- 
tained so many of your sweetest and best mortal com- 
forts, is broken ; how great also is the consolation, on 
your own account secured to you, by the everlasting 



-^IS LETTERS. 

covenant of grace, while if assures jou, that the Lord, 
the ever living, all sriffic ienf, and un("han2;in^ God, is 
your Friend and Saviour, vour refuge and portion in 
Ihe land of Ihe living ; that he will never leave you nor 
forsake joii, but will be found ready, by his gracious 
presence, to 61! the great and wide breach, vi^hicb he 
has made in your social, mortal comforts. Heis ready- 
to turn the tears of your present mou< niuiii;, into sonii;s 
of everlasting joy and praise, by makinsc this affliction, 
which nature feels to be great and heavy, but which 
faith, contemplating it in the view of eternity, pronounces 
to be light and but for a moment, not only yield 
to you the present peaceable fruit of righteousness, 
but work out for you a far more exceeding and eternal 
weight of future glory. 

But what can I suggest, adapted to give your thoughts 
their right direction, or to sooth your sorrows, which 
is not already familiar to your own mind ? Long have 
you, as I trust and believe, been taught of God, by 
his word and Spirit, to understand, and with an approv- 
ing, adoring heart, to acknowledge, that he is righteous 
in all his ways, and holy in all his works ; that he doth 
DO wrong to any of his creatures, and that as he doth 
all things well on the great scale, so in bis infinite wis- 
dom, grace and love, he orders and sanctifies all things 
to work for good, to them that love him ; and long, as 
I doubt not, have you found by experience, that all 
the paths of the Lord towards you have been mercy 
and truth, while many of those things, which for awhile 
seemed to be most against you, have at length, appear- 
ed to be most favourable in their tendency and ef- 
fects, to Ihe promotion of your best interests, your 
spiritual interests at least, if not your temporal. Let 
your faith and persuasion of these things, be now strong'. 



LETTERS. 417 

and grow still stronger and stronger, and in the multi- 
tude of your troubled, anxious thoughts within you, let 
the comforts resulting from the firm belief of these 
things, still delight your soul. 

And may He to whom it belongs to give peace effec- 
tually back to you, afflicted and destitute, as you may 
now feel yourself, to say from the heart, and with a cor- 
dial satisfaction, the Lord is my portion, therefore will 
I hope in him, yea, I will still joy in the God of my sal- 
vation. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and 
by thy providence and grace, in the right and best way, 
through the changing scenes of mortality, the darkest 
and most perplexing, as well as the more pleasing and 
comfortable, and afterward receive me to glory. To 
the word and to the Spirit of his grace, I commend you ; 
and it is my earnest prayer, that while you have the 
consolation of knowing, that in covenant faithfulness, 
and for your present spiritual profit, and the advance- 
ment of your future eternal joy, the Lord has afRicted 
you ; your dear children also, who are sharers with you 
in your afHiction, and v»^ho are spared, I trust, to be in 
various ways comforters to you, may know that it is 
good for them to be thus aiSicted, while this severe af- 
fliction, through the supply of the spirit of Christ, is 
made to turn to their salvation. When forsaken or de- 
prived of so valuable a father, whose counsels and 
prayers, were so aiTectionately employed and contin- 
ued for their present and eternal welfare, let their hearts 
be the more earnestly engaged in praying for themselves, 
that the Lord their heavenly Father, may take them 
up, and be their guide and guardian, their friend and 
Saviour, and sanctify them as seed that shall serve him, 

and be accounted to the Lord for a generation, which 
58 



418 LETTERS, 

he will delight (o bless and to honor. May the Lord 
indeed bless them, and make them blessings ; and pre- 
pare and engage them to follow one parent, already 
gone to inherit (he promises of grace fulfilled in glory, 
and to accompany another, *' Yel marching through 
Immanuel's groisnd, to fairer world's on high." 

The bereaved church and congregation, lately fa- 
voured with his ministerial service , will, 1 hope, re- 
ceive admonition from the frowning Providence, which 
has thus deprived them of ihe many inestimable bless- 
ings included in a faithful gospel ministry ; while they 
will, I trust, feel that it is their duty, to bow with submis- 
sion to the sovereign will of the Lord, who has an ab- 
solute right, whenever he pleases to remove from a peo- 
ple, the pastor whom be had appointed to watch for 
their souls, and to call out of his vineyard a faithful 
labourer, who before he had borne the burden and heat 
of the day, so long as some others have done, were 
called home to their rest and reward. And let them, 
now with united hearts and ferment praj^ers, look up to 
the great Head of the church, who has smitten them, 
that he may heal them, that he may sanctify to them 
the heavy afflictive stroke with which he has visited 
them, and speedily send them another pastor after his 
own heart, who shall feed them wilh the knowledge of 
the pure go«pel, and by a worthy example of christian 
faith and piety, go before them in the way to glory, 
honor and immortality. 

Ir) a poor state of health, and under the debilitating 
effects of very warm weather, I have, with an evident 
want of mental vigor, and no small degree of bodily 
fatigue, extended this letter to an unexpected and in- 
convenient length. After so long a delay, let it be 



LETTERS. 419 

kindly accepted as a proof, that I had not forgot ten you 
in your afHictlons, but was stiii disposed, if I had health 
and spirits, to express my tender sympathy for you, 
and to be the minisler of consolation to you. 

Since we have heard of the alarming; state in which 
Diew London\has been placed, we have feared that you 
and others at Norwich, may not only hear the dreadful 
sound of war so near you, but may be involved in some 
of its conflicts, or calamities. Should your hearts be 
in danger of being overwhelmed, may you be enabled, 
with a strong faith, to resort to the rock that is higher 
than you, and find that Jehovah is a shelter for you, 
and a strong tower from the enemy : and trusting in 
the covert of his wings, may you find that he will keep 
you in perfect peace, because you trust in him, and 
your mind and heart are stayed upon him. Hitherto, 
we in this city and the adjacent country, have felt the 
war only, or chiefly in the way of commercial losses 
and privations, the stagnation of almost all kinds of bu- 
siness, and the consequent diiHculties to which many of 
the labouring and poorer classes especially, are reduc- 
ed. But if it continues moch longer, we have reason to 
apprehend that our city will have some experience of 
what others have already deeply felt, that the battle of 
the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled 
in blood. Oh that the Lord would give to our rulers, 
and to our nation, an heart deeply humbled in true re- 
pentance under his mighty hand, and disposed to turn 
from our abounding transgressions, that iniquity may 
not yet be our ruin ; and that he may be entreated by 
the prayers of the righteous, throughout ^ur land, and 
for the Redeemer's sake, to pardon our^nanifold na- 
tional sins, to turn away all his anger from us, to deliver 



420 



LETTERS. 



US from (he dreadful scourge of war, and to restore to 
us the blessings of a desirable and lasting peace ! 

Our church here, received during the past jear, an 
addition of about eighty members ; among tliese was 
your and our friend Mr. O. last fall, as well as Mrs. O. 
in the spring preceding. They are both truly worthy 
and excellent persons, and are now, I trusl, with united 
hearts, travelling to a better country, even an heavenly. 

Be so good as to make my apology to Mrs. T. for 
my not writing a direct answer to her excellent letter. 
It was read by a number of friends here, with the liveli- 
est interest, and the tenderest sympathy. The stale of 
my health and spirits which have so long delayed this, 
have prevented my answering hers in any other way, 
than in this communication to you. Though not per- 
sonally acquainted with Mrs. T, her letter has taught us 
to esteem and love her. And as she has been sensibly 
afBirted in your afflictions, may our gracious Lord, 
make her a sharer with you in his sanctifving grace, 
and in his consolations, which are nor small ! 

The expression of your dear M's love, and good 
wishes as well as your own, is very acceptable to us. 
We hope she will know, by happy experience, the mean- 
ing of those important words of the best of friends, "I 
love them that love me, and those that seek me early, 
shall find me." 

Mrs. K. reminds me that she has not.written to you, 
as she believes, although I thought she had, since the 
death of her sister T. who died on the 22d of Septem- 
ber last, after a lingering and painful illness. All who 
have had oj^portunity, have desired us to express to 
you their affectionate regards, and tender sympathy. 
You would very much oblige us by writing as soon, as 



LETTERS. 421 

practicable, very particularly relative to Mr. H's last 
scene, &c. and concerning your children. 

To the mercy and grace of God, in Christ Jesus our 
Lord, you and they are affectionately commended, by 
your cordial friends, 

!• S. AND J. KEITH. 



TO REV. DR. M. 

CHARLESTON, JULY 4,1809- 

UY DEAR FRIEND, 

Amidst the ringing of bells, and the roaring 
of cannon, and all the parade, and bustle, and noise, 
with which this anniversary of a day so important, and 
so glorious to America, is celebrated here, as it is 
doubtless, in like manner, in a thousand other places, 
I am now seated in the tranquil recess of my study ; and 
have taken up my pen, for the purpose of scrawling a 
few lines to you. I congratulate you on the return of 
this auspicious day, in circumstances adapted to diffuse 
the liveliest gratitude and joy, throughout the great 
people and vast territory of these United States. To 
every genuine reflecting patriot, the usual satisfactions 
©f this day must be greatly heightened, by the recol- 
lection of the dark and portentous clouds, which were 
lately seen resting and spreading farther and wider upon 
our prospects ; and by the consideration of the. bright 
and pleasing scene, which " the good hand of our God 
upon us," has again opened to our view. The Lord hath 
indeed again done great things for us, whereof all among 



422 LETTERS. 

US, who truly love oiir country, must be glad. Among 
the thousands, and tens of thousands, who will this day 
express their joy on account ok these things, in pealing, 
and firing, and eating and drinking, and toasting and 
carousing, how many will be found disposed to of- 
fer the thanksgiv ings of a grateful heart, to the God of 
our mercies, to rejoice in Him as the source of their 
personal and social happiness, and in the prayer of 
faith, to commend themselves and their country, and 
the church, to his care and keeping, expecting safety and 
prosperity for the time to come, only under his smiles, 
and through his blessing T Many such, I trust, there 
are dispersed through this great community. May the 
Lord increase their number, how many soever they 
may be, an hundred fold ! For these are every where 
the truly excellent of the earth ; and they are the 
chief glory and strongest bulwark of every land. 

^ ^ ^ ^ :^ :S& ^ 

•Tf "A* W T^ •/v' '7C 'W 

A second Presbyterian church, as I believe I have 
already intimated to you, has been lately formed in this 
city, partly out of the old Scotch congregation, and 
partly by persons who have not heretofore been close- 
ly connected with any church in this city. These peo- 
ple have called, and lately settled, the Rev. A. F. as 
their pastor, with a salary of ^2000 ; and they have 
been very successful in obtaining subscriptions, to the 
amount of about ^3-^,000, for building an house of wor- 
ship. This is to be of brick, 90 feet by f 0, with a 
steeple, &c. The foundation is already lafd, and the 
w^ork will be carried on with all practicable despatch. 
I know not that the appearances of real vital religion, 
are jet more promising in this new congregation, than 
they have been for a long time in the old Presbyterian 



LETTERS. 423 

congregation. But as Mr. F. is considered as a pious 
man, and an evangelical preacher, it is hoped that he 
may prove a blessing to them, in promoting the knowl- 
edge and practice of pure and undefiled religion among 
them. Mr. F. has lately sailed for the northward, in- 
tending to spend the summer abroad ; and supposing 
it probable that he may visit Boston, I have given him 
a letter of introduction to you ; and I expect that you 
will have an opportunity of hearing him preach, and of 
being informed of many things respecting us here, that 
I cannot now write. The hazards of the summer sea- 
son in this climate, and especially in this city, to a fam- 
ily with n )rthern constitutions, form a serious item in 
the calculations that should be made on this subject. 
How often have my fondest wishes and favourite plans, 
been disappointed ? What a privilege is it to be 
brought at length by the smarting discipline of infinite 
Wisdom, cheerfully to acquiesce in the will and dispo- 
sal of God, who alone knows what is best for us, and 
who doth all things well, not only on the great scale, 
but for every individual of his peculiar and beloved 
people and faithful servants ! As all things shall assur- 
edly work for good to them that love God ; if we love 
our God and Saviour in sincerity, we may then rest as- 
sured, that if there be any other situation in the world, 
that would be on the whole better for us, than that in 
which we are now placed, he w^ill, in the proper time 
and way, conduct us into it ; and if there be not, then 
we may console and encourage ourselves with the per- 
suasion, that abiding with him where we now are, he 
will be with us, furnish us with strength according to 
our day, and enable us acceptably to serve and glorify 



424 LETTERS. 

him, till he shall remove us to glorify, and enjoy hini 
for ever in heaven. 

I am much pleased to hear of the hopeful beginnings, 
and promising prospects, of your Theological Institu- 
tion. Under the smiles and blessings of heaven, may 
it grow and flourish more and more ! 

We are vcfy much gratified with the affectionate re- 
membrance of our warm friend R, united with that of 
Lis parents. May the Lord bless the lad, and maker 
him a blessing ! By his Bible, with the teaching of (he 
spirit of truth and grace, I hope he will be made wise 
to salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus. Thus may 
he, and your other dear boys, be blessed indeed, and 
forever. Let us be respectfully mentioned to all in- 
quiring friends, and assure yourselves of your Tning m 
the hearts of 

I. S. AND J. KEITH. 



(^lf» 



TO REV. MR. P. 

CHARLESTON, AUGUST 6, 181©. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

Your favour, under date July 11th, was du- 
ly received, at the same time with one from Mrs. M. 
to Mrs. K. Mrs. K. will endeavour ere long to recip- 
rocate Mrs. M's favour. For yours, accept my sin- 
cere thanks. I was much gratified in receiving and 
perusing it ; and to both of us it was very pleasing to 
find that you and Mrs. P. with the children, had been 
favoured with so prosperous and expeditious a passage 
by sea, and journey by land, that in the space of a 



LETTERS. 425 

fortnight after you left C-'^-^ton, you should have it 

in your power to write to me from C town ; and 

there in the hospitable raansion of our mulual worthy 
friends, to tell us of their welfare, of that of their fami- 
ly, and that your own health is improving. Has your 
gratitude in all its proper feelings and expressions, 
kept pace with the rich variety, and rapid succession 
of the goodness and mercy of the Lord, which have at- 
tended and followed you and yours ? I presume you 
think that it is well for you, that though this is your 
most reasonable and pleasant duty, yet on this are you 
Rot to found your hopes, of the mercy and grace, which 
you still need to make the rest of yoisr way prosper- 
ous and comfortable. Where you do not adequately 
praise, and love, and obey, you may accepfably repent 
and believe, and repenting and believing, you may si ill 
hope, in and through that divine Mediator, who is the 
Lord, your righteousness and strength. For his sake, 
may the God of your mercies slill preserve your going 
out and coming in, and assure your hearr thai He is 
with you to keep you in all places, through which 3^ou 
pass, until he brincc you a2;ain in peace to your home 
and church ; and then give yon the disposition, to- 
gether with the occasion for saying, " Return unto. thy 
rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully 
with thee !" 

The variegated, beautiful, magnificent scenery, 
through which you have passed, and with which you 
■will be almost continually surrounded in the northern 
and middle Slates, must be highly interesting to your 
imagination and feelings ; and the air and exercise, 
which you are enjoying on so agreeable a tour, will, I 

trust, have the most favourable iiifluence, on the im- 
54 



42G LETTERS. 

provement of jour health and constitulion. If you find 
preaching does not injure yourself, be not reluctant to 
do all the good which may be in your power, in this 
way to others. But let not the easiness of your tem- 
per, be prevailed on by any iaiporl unity, to relieve any 
lasy brethren, especially by labours beyond your pres- 
ent strength, and which would prevent or retard that 
increase of strength, which you should endeavour to 
acquire while abroad, wi'h the view of spending it again 
in the service, and for the benefit of your own people at 
home. 

The season here, excepting eight or ten days, about 
the middle of July, when the weather was extremely 
warm and dry, has been on the whole the most pleas- 
ant that I have ever enjoyed in Carolina ; and the city 
has continued hitherto very healthy. Oh, that we 
would praise the Lord for his mercies ; and render 
again to him according to the benefits received frona 
him ! 

The affairs of our church remain much in the same 
state in which you left them. What the issue will be, 
is known only to the great Head of the church. May 
He bring good out of evil, and overrule all circum- 
stances, however adverse and threatening they may ap- 
pear, to work for the good of his church, which he has 
bought with his blood, and which he cherishes with the 
most watchful and tender solicitude as the apple of his 
eye. And we may rest assured, that in his everlasting 
and unchangeable love to it, he will disappoint every 
weapon formed against it by its enemies ; and correct 
every error of its friends, so that learning wisdom under 
the discipline of his hand, as well as by the teaching of 



LETTERS, 42T 

his word and spirlf, ihey may belter understand the 
proper methods of promoting its interests. 

Before you left this place, I believe, the constitjstlon 
of the Bible Society was adopted. An election of ihe 
Board of Managers took place on the lOlh of July ; 
the result of which you may probably see in some of 
(he newspapers. On the several subscription papers, 
the names of about 300 members, and funds to the a- 
mount of about g2500 have been procured. There 
are about 20 life subscribers, of $bO each. Oa the 
list in my hands, there have been received twelve of these 
life subscribers, and about an hundred other subscri- 
bers, and cash to the amount of ^1120 ; and all except- 
ing the instances of a very few who sent to me their 
names and their money, within the limits of our own 
congregations, from whom I expect still some consid- 
erable additions. # # # # # 

Adieu, ISAAC s, keith. 



TO REV. DR. S. 

CHARLESTON, MAY 3, 1791, TUESDAY. 
REV, AND DEAR FATHER, 

1 HIS is Jubilee week in Charleston. Al- 
most all business is suspended, and joy and rejoicing 
universally prevail. This you would naturally expect 
on the present occasion ; when you hear that the illus- 
trious and beloved President of the United States is 
now among us. He arrived here yesterday about one 
o'clock. In his way he had to cross a ferry on Cooper 



428 LETTERS. 

river at its junction with the bay of Charleston, three 
miles wide from Haddreli's point to the city. Over 
this he was conveyed in an elegant barge, displaying a 
splendid flag of the United States, and rowed by thir- 
teen American captains of vessels, all dressed in a 
beaufifijl jsniforfn of sky bine silk jackets. Theiroars 
moved in concert with a band of music, playing all the 
W'ay. Sloops, schooners, pelfiangers, and boats of va- 
rious descriptions, to (he number of perhaps two and 
three score, freighted wish ladies, gentlemen, &c. &;c. 
atfefjded the barge that was horfored with the impor- 
tant and distiiiguUihed trust of carrying the President, 
and constituted a fine fleet, which, in the eyes of the cit- 
izens of Charleston, appeared incomparably more glori- 
ous and charoiing, than all the royal navy of Great 
Britain, which Slled their port and the neighbouring riv- 
ers, daring the years of the late revolution. The at- 
mo.^phere was clear and serene, the sun shone brightly, 
wiihont any excess of heat ; and the water was gently 
and agreeably moved by a sweet refreshing breeze. 
On turning a point of land near the city, which brought 
the fleet full in view of the inhabitants, a federal salute 
was fired by a ship prepared for that purpose in the 
harbour. Ail the vessels in the harbour, were dressed 
as gaily as their respective wardrobes would permit. 
The numbers and variety of people who filled the ves- 
sels, decks and tops, the wharves, the streets, the 
doors, the windows, the balconies, and even some of 
the roofs of the houses, you can more easijy imagine 
than I can describe. When the barge arrived at the 
wharf, the President was received and welcomed on 
shore and in Charleston, by the Governor and Lieut. 
Governor, the principal officers of the Union and of 



LETTFRS. 429 

the State, ant] by the foreign consuls, and escorted by a 
guard of rr.iiiua, well equipped and dressed in handsome 
uniform ; under a loud peal ofhuzzas from the surround- 
ing croTvd : and now a feu de joy was Bred by the corps 
of artillery paraded in Bay-street, opposite to the place of 
landing. This corps, which served their country wilh 
great honor during ihe late war, made a truly military, 
and very respectable appearance. They are also mili- 
tia, <*ooiposed of the citizens. From the place of 
lauding, the President, now attended hj the honorable 
company by which he was first received, proceeded up 
to Bay-s<reet, adjoining the wharf; and thence led a 
procession formed of the diiFerent orders of citizens, 
whose siations^iad been previously assigned by lot ; 
except that of the clergy, to whom the honor was giVf 
en of walking next after the President and principal of- 
ficers of government and foreign ministers. The pro- 
cession moved along Bay-street, till the head of it ad- 
vanced to the Exchange. Then the President, accom- 
panied by the Governor, and those who immediately 
followed, including the clergy, ascended the steps of 
the Exchange, and took his station on an elevated arid 
spacious platform, which belongs to that elegant build- 
ing. Here another feu de joy was fired by the artille- 
ry, accompanied by a loud and general huzza, huzzs^ 
huzza. Here the rest of the procession passed by, 
down the same street, and had all an opportunity of 
seeing and saluting the President, and receiving the 
honors of his bows and smiles. And here all the com- 
pany attending around him, had the honor and pleas- 
ure of taking him by the hand. After this ceremony, 
he with his attendants, descended again into the street ; 
and then the procession facing about, the rear became 



430 LBTTERS. 

the front of those who had remained in the street ; and 
in this order they followed him and the preceding com- 
pany along Broad-street, as far as to Church-street, 
and then down Church-street nearly the distance of a 
square, to the house provided for his accommodation, 
during his stay in the city ; and there wilh three more 
cheers, they left him to repose himself, till the hour of 
dinner. He dined in a private manner, wilh the Gov- 
ernor and a few official gentlemen, and select friends. 
To-day at 4 o'clock he is to partake of a public dinner 
at the Exchange, given by the Intendant and Wardens, 
at the expense of the city. To-morrow, he is to dine 
with the society of Cincinnati ; the next day with 
the Governor in public ; the next day with Major 
Butler, one of our Senators in Congress | and the 
next day with the Chamber of commerce, or merchants 
of Charleston. Several addresses are to be presented 
to him, which with his answers, you will no doubt, in 
due season, see in your papers ; and through the same 
channel, you will probably be favoured with a much bet- 
ter history of the transactions which I have attempted 
to detail, than is contained in this hastily and carelessly 
written letter. Thus has it been done, and thus is it 
proposed to be done to the man, whom the people of 
Charleston, with an affection and zeal in which they 
are not exceeded by any of the citizens of the United 
States, delight to honor. That the ladies too, may 
have an opportunity of enjoying the pleasure of his 
presence among them, of paying their respects, and 
testifying their love to him, and of displaying all their 
charms of beauty, dress, and address before him, there 
is to be a splendid ball in a magnificent apartment of 
the Exchange, on Wednesday evening ; and a gran^ 



LBTTBRS, 481 

concert on another evening. The ornaments provided 
for the embellishment of the lovely persons of many 
of our fair citizens on these occasions, are, as I am 
told, extremely rich and superb 5 probably in many 
degrees above the taste of so plain a Virginia planter, 
as the worthy George Washington. There are in 
particular, many ribbons included among these orna- 
ments, painted with miniature likenesses of the Presi- 
dent, or the initials of his name ; and the words, Long 
live the President : and, He comes, the Hero comes, 
&G. &c. which, if I mistake not^ will appear to his mod- 
esty and delicacy more flattering than pleasing. On 
the whole you may rest assured that no preparations 
or exertions, which our circumstances will, or will not 
allow, have been wanting, to render this joyous occa- 
sion one of the most brilliant seras, in the history of 
the splendours and rejoicings of Charleston. But ah ! 
on Monday next, the 9th of May, after a stay of only 
one short week, the President, who has been the great 
cause, and the principal lustre of all this bright scene, 
is to bid us a long farewell, and proceed on his journey 
to Georgia ; and leave us to proceed in our old walks 
of business and care, which are now generally relin- 
quished for the more attractive pursuits of amusement, 
and pleasures of festivity. From Georgia, the Presi* 
dent is to return through the interior country, to his 
own seat, and finally to your city, I suppose, in the 
fall. May God protect, and guide, and bless him ; till 
the course of his useful life is finished ; and then add 
to all the honors which he has received from his fellow 
men on earth, the infinitely higher and more lasting 
honors included in that sentence of the great Judge 
•f all, " Well done good and faithful servant : Thoii 



43*3 LETTERS. 

hast been faitbful over a few things ; T will make thee 
ruler overraanj things ; enfer^thou into the joj of thjr 
Lord." 

I thought to have finished my epi^lle here ^ but I 
must go on a little further, as I have jet taken no no- 
tice of your last favour, of the 6fh of April, f now 
thank you for this, as I have heretofore done for all 
your former epistolary favours. Do not fear that you 
will ever write too offen, or too much at a time. We 
are never tired, but always n)uch gratified with reading 
your paternal letters : and it will be our fault, if they 
are not useful to us, as they always contain some good 
advice ; and hints for profitable improvement. 

Is it not in this month that the General Assembly of 
your church meets? Is it well attended; and does it 
promise to answer the purposes of its institution? I sus- 
pect that upon trial, it will be found, that in the forma- 
tion of that body, and the arrangement of the subordin- 
ate synods, the peculiar situation of our country, its ex- 
tended bounds, &.C. have not been duly consulted. 
Does not the General Assembly appear to be rather to6 
few in number, to execute with adequate authority and 
dignity, all the great business that comes before it ; and 
are not the subordinate synods neglected, as of too lit- 
tle consequence to be attended by any but those who 
live near the place of meeting? I have heard sugges- 
tions of this kind ; and from circumstances, there seems 
to be reason to conclude that they are too well found- 
ed. From long habit, I feel a strong inclination at this 
season to visit Philadelphia, and attend your church 
judicatories. But distance now precludes every hope 
of realizing my wishes, in the manner which I could 
formerly do it. Here are no such opportunities of at- 



LETTERS. 438 

tending the meetings of clerical bretliren, as occur 
among you : and I think the want of these a considera- 
ble disadvantage of my present situation. But my 
situation is in so many other respects, so much more 
desirable, than in my former place of residence, that I 
have hitherto seen daily reason to be thankful to a kind 
Providence and his instruments, for pointing out and 
accomplishing the change. 

Assure my dear mother and all the branches of the 
family, of my continued esteem and affectionate re- 
gards, in which a beloved father also shares, as largely 
as he can wish. I endeavour daily to remember you 
all at the throne of grace, and hope you will not there 
forget your children. 

I. S. AND H. EBITH. 



ii^i 



CHARLESTON, JULY 15, 1811. 
TO MR. ANDREW P. GREADY, 

PRESIDENT OF THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY. 

PEAR SIR, 

I HAVE been favoured with the very friendly 
letter, which as President, and in behalf of " The Con* 
gregrationnl Society for Religious Worship,'''' you 
lately addressed to me, and in which you politely ex- 
press their wish, that I would consider myself as a mem- 
ber ; at least an honorary one, of the society ; and that 
I would place my name on the list of the subscribers to 
its rules. 



434 LETTERS. 

Accept, dear sir, for yourself and the society, my 
grateful acknowledgments for the honor thus done me. 
In compliance with their desire, I have added my sig- 
nature to the rules ; and I feel myself, together with 
my family, cordially disposed to attend the meetings 
of the society, when circumstances may allow us that 
pleasure. But from my various engagements, the im- 
perfect state of my health, and the place and seasons 
of meeting, that will probably be most convenient to 
the members generally, I am apprehensive, that I shall 
but rarely have it in my power to attend with them. 

The very small services which I have rendered to- 
wards the establishment and organization of the society, 
they have much too highly appreciated. There seem- 
ed, indeed, but little need or room for any aid, which I 
could contribute to the laudable undertaking ; as, in 
my view, it appeared to be conducted, by those most 
immediately concerned, and engaged in it with a spirit 
of christain zeal and discretion, which promised, 
through the blessing of God, the most desirable result. 

The pious design met, at once, my entire approba- 
tion, and my heart has felt an high gratification in the 
success, which has thus far attended the counsels and 
efforts, which have been employed for realizing the im- 
portant benefits contemplated. 

The Lord your God and Saviour, will, I trust, " es- 
tablish and prosper this work of your hands, in which 
you have hopefully engaged, with a view to his glory, in 
the promotion of the great interests of your own souls, 
and the advancement of his cause in the world, as far as 
your influence and usefulness can be extended, in the sta- 
tions which you occupy in the church, and in the commu- 
nity. *'The Lord will assuredly be with you, while you 
are with him." And as you would expect his presence 



LETTERS. 435 

and favour, ]et it be still your leading aim, and your 
most solicitous care, that the great " name of your God 
may, in all respects, be glorified in and by you, through 
Jesus Christ your Lord" and mediator: and that you 
may maintain and cultivate a spirit of love, and harmo- 
ny among yourselves ; ever studying "to walk worthy 
of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all low- 
liness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one 
another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the 
spirit in the bond of peace ; remembering that there 
is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one 
hope of your calling."* 

Cherishing such dispositions, and manifesting Ihem 
in the general tenor of your conduct, you may, with 
humble confidence hope, that your Lord, according to 
the promises of his truth and grace, will be in the midst 
of you, when from time to time you meet in his name 
for his worship ; and that his blessing will render the 
religious services in which you unite, subservient to the 
important purposes of drawing your souls nearer to 
himself, in the exercises and pleasures of the most im- 
proving and delightful communion ; of uniting your 
hearts more closely and tenderly to each other in 
christian affection, sympathy, and fellowship ; and of 
making you thus eminently helpful to each other, under 
your various labours and trials, temptations and sor- 
rows, and instrumental to the establishment and ad- 
vancement of each other's faith, and hope, and peace, 
and joy on earth, and the increase of each other's 
meetness for the incorruptible, unfading inheritance of 
eternal glory and felicity, reserved for the friends and 
followers of Christ in heaven. While in this way, your 
walk may be maintained more closely with God, your 

* Ephes. iv. 1 — 4. 



436 LETTERS. 

light maj at the same time, shine more brightly before 
Dien, and many around you, " taking knowledge of 
you, that you have been with Jesus," may be excited 
and animated, to desire and resolve, that they will be- 
come " followers of you, as they see you are of Christ." 

Thus your society may be enlarged, which "though 
its beginning has been small, yet may its latter end be- 
come greatly increased ;" and thus also new members 
might be added to the church among such as shall be 
saved. How interesting, how delightful the thought ! 
that thus you would be pursuing the course, and im- 
proving the means most favourable to the growth of 
your infant institution, of your own souls in grace, and 
in the knowledge of your Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ, and of the church of Christ ; and especially of 
that branch of it with which you are most intimately 
connected! 

The prosperity of '« the church, which God our 
Saviour has bought with his own blood," will, I trust, 
ever lie near your hearts, and be constantly remember- 
ed by you in your prayers. Having thus dearly pur- 
chased it, and still regarding it as the apple of his eye, 
he has spoken glorious things of it, and promised to do 
great things for it, and these things he will be found able 
and faithful to accomplish, in their season. "Yet for 
these things will he be inquired of by his people, that 
he may do them." And he puts a special honor upon 
them, when he represents himself as condescending to 
perform what he has purposed and promised to do, in 
answer to their prayers : and what greater honor and 
encouragement could be given to social prayer, in par- 
ticular, than what our blessed Lord has given to it ? 
when he says, " If even any two of you shall agree 



LETTERi. 437 

•n earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it 
shali be done for Ihem of mj Father who is in heaven. 
For where two or three are gathered together in raj 
n^me, there am I in the midst of thein."^ May this 
promise be graciously fulfilled to you, as it has been in 
innumerable instances to others, who, in the Lord's ap- 
pointed vi;^y, have sought and found him, who have 
asked in faith, and conformably to his declared will^ 
bave received the blessings of his grace and favour for 
themselves, and for others, for whom they have prayed i 
In the humble and animating hope that this may be 
your happy experience, pray constantly and fervently 
for the peace of Jerusalem ; for ** the outpouring of 
tl-e spirit from on high" upon all the branches of the 
church, that "the Lord's work may be revived," and 
his salvation be displayed in them with great glory 
" in the midst of these years j" and that the church it- 
self may "be established, and be a praise in all the 
earth,'* and all the nations of tribes of mankind become 
united in it as brethren of one family, " loving each oth- 
er with pure hearts fervently, and by love serving one 
another." And in the view of this most desirable 
state of Zion's peace and prosperity, forget not to pray 
for its pastors ; and especially for those under whose 
pastoral care you are placed, that, having " the minis- 
try of reconciliation committed to them," they may 
faithfully preach the gospel to their hearers, and that, 
by the co operating influence of divine grace, it may 
prove " the power of God, to the salvation of those 
who hear its joyful sound." How interesting the sub- 
ject of your prayers, and how animating the hope 
which you are authorized to cherish in them, when in 
praying for the ministers of the gospel, you are directed 

Matthew xviii. 18, 19. 



438 LETTERS. 

to pray, that through their ministry " the word of the 
Lord may have free course, and be glorified every 
whereas well as among yourselves;" and when you 
are assured, by many great and precious promises, that 
by the universal spread of the light, (he trulh, and the 
grace of the gospel, all the people dwelling on the face 
of the whole earth, shall be taught the knowledge of 
the only living and true God in Jesus Christ, his Son ; 
and shall be brought to praise and serve him as their 
God and Saviour, " from the rising of the sun, even to 
the going down thereof;" and " the whole earth shall 
be filled with his glory I" 

That part of the plan of your society, which relates 
to the establishment of a small, but select library; 
consisting chiefly of books on divinity, (inculcating the 
purest evangelical sentiments, and the best adapted to 
promote christian practice) appears to me to be a well 
judged, and very important measure ; as it will provide 
a rich source of improvement to the mind and the heart, 
and will probably have a considerable effect in promot- 
ing the increase of your members, and strengthening 
the bonds of their union. 

It has long been my wish to see a Library, consist- 
ing principally of this description of books, owned by 
our church, and at once adequate to the wants, and ap- 
propriated chiefly to the use, of our congregations. 
The advantages of such an establishment for dissemin- 
ating correct sentiments and enlarged information on re- 
ligious subjects, and in exciting the attention of many 
persons, to their best, their spiritual interests ; to the 
things of their present and eternal peace. I trust that 
to the members of your society at least, the books 
which you may now obtain, and which may be graduaf- 



LETTERS. 



439 



\y increased, will be productive of much improvement 
in knowledge and grace. 

It has, from the first, been my intention and deter- 
mination, to contribute some aid to your society, to- 
wards the accomplishment of this laudable design, by 
presenting to them some books, which I supposed 
would be particularly acceptable and useful to them. 
Accordingly, together with the books presented by 
Mr. Woodward, to your society,* I have the pleasure 
of presenting to the society at the present time in my 
own name, the books mentioned in the subjoined list. 
[Here follows the list, amounting to upwards of ^50.] 

In the choice, and in the use of books, and in your 
religious exercises and in all your proceedings as a so- 
ciety and as individuals, may you be favoured with 
that wisdom which is profitable to direct, and with that 
all-sufficiency of grace, which will enable you, in all the 
instances of your conduct, *' to do all to the glory of 
God" through Jesus Christ your Redeemer and Medi- 
ator. 

To the guidance, the keeping, and the blessing of the 
great and gracious God, even our blessed Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ, I affectionately commend you ; 
and with all christian regards, and iny constant prayers 
for your welfiire and happiness, collectively and indi- 
vidually, in time and through eternity, I remain. 
Your sincere and cordial friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 

* To the amount of ^20. 



440 LBTTERS. 

TO DR. E* S, 

CHARLXSTOir, JUNK 11, 1810. 

MT DEAR FRIEND, 

VouR welcome favour, of the 10th 
of May, I have received. If gave me a very peculiar 
pleasure, I cordially thank jou for it ; and £ desire to 
be fervently thankful to the God of all grace, on ac- 
count of his grace having been so exceedingly abun- 
dant towards you, as to enable you to fill your letter 
with a very pleasing detail of circumstances and events^ 
most important to yourself, and deeply interesting to 
all your friends. The history of heroes and conquer- 
ors, of the revolutions of nations, and establishment of 
empires, that have filled the earth with fame and glory, 
shrinks into insignificance, in the view of an immortal 
soul, delivered by the Almighty Redeemer from the 
bondage of satan and the chains of sin ; and by the en- 
lightening, new creating energy of the sp'rit of grace, 
emerging from darkness to li^hf, passing from death to 
life, and rising from self to God, and from earth to 
heaven. 

Has such, my dear friend, been the great, the hap- 
py change, which you have experienced ? How rea- 
sonable, how pleasant, must you, so far at least as you 
have evidence of your being the subject of such a 
change, now feel the duty of thankssciving and praise, 
while adoring gratitude prompts and constrains you to 
say withihe apostle, " By the grace of God T am what 
I am.'* Are you a christian indeed ? Such, I would 



LETTERS. 441 

fondly hope you now are. And is fhere any inferesf, 
any honor, any happiness to which the renewed, sanc- 
tified heart can aspire, that is not included in the char- 
acter and state of a christian ; while for such it is pro- 
vided, by the sure, welKordered, everlasting covenant, 
of which Jesus is the blessed Mediator, that an all-suffi- 
ciency of grace, suited to every present necessity, shall 
be given; and that this grace shall be crowned with 
future eternal glory ! How desirable, indeed, is that 
state of grace in which, as I trust, you now stand and 
rejoice in hope of the glory of God ! And how remark- 
able tlie method of the Lord's dealing with you, in or- 
der to bring you into this happy state ! 

If you had been left to yourself, you, with the men 
of the world, would have chosen your portion in this 
life. With them you aspired to the honors of the 
world, you coveted its interests and prosperity ; and if 
the world smiled, and you could repose on the bosom 
of your beloved family, enjoying, together with your- 
self, health and temporal comfort, you flattered your- 
self that your happiness would be complete. How this 
scene of fancied happiness would have soon terminated, 
I need not now remind you. Most mercifully have 
you been awakened from the pleasing, delusive dream, 
and taught " to seek superior bliss." Your plans and 
prospects of ambition and of wealth, were disconcert- 
ed and disappointed ; and a darling child, that was be- 
coming more and more the idol of your heart, was re- 
moved to the bosom of your Lord, who says, " Suffer 
the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, 
for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The hopes, al- 
so, v/hich you were building on the ground of your own 

righteousness, soon fell before the power of sin, dwell- 
ed 



44S LETTERS. 

ing in you, and under (he sentence of the law, applied 
by the Spirit, and convincing you, that by no present or 
future obedience, or repentance, or reformation, could 
you ever be justified before God. 

" All these things,'' your sense audyour reason were 
ready to exclaim, "all these things are against me!" 
But God's thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are our 
ways his ways. " For as the heavens are higher than 
the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and 
my thoughts than your thoughts, saith the Lord." And 
accordingly, you have found the dispensations of his 
providence, which to you were most obscure, perplex- 
ing, and distressing, accompanied by his sanctifying 
blessing, made to work together most effectually for 
your good. Your favourite schemes and hopes of 
worldly joy were broken, that you might be constrained 
to seek your all in God ; and that your soul might be 
compelled to seek its rest in the Redeemer, who gives 
his peace to all that come to him believing, and trusting 
in his name, and a peace such as the world can neither 
give, nor take away<, 

Thus through the supply of the spirit of Jesus 
Christ, all those apparent adverse and threatening cir- 
cumstances and events, under which your heart was in- 
clined to be so restive and rebellious, have been made 
instrumental to promote your humiliation and repent- 
ance, to excite you to fly for refuge, to lay hold on the 
hope set before you, in the Saviour of the guilty, the 
wretched, and (he helpless, and have happily turned to 
the furtherance of your salvation. And now, when 
you see that like the blind, you were led in a way that 
you knew not, and in the right and best way to present 
peace and future joy, it may surely be most reasonably 



LETTERS. 443 

expected of you, that with a lively gratitude you will 
acknowledge, that the Lord hath done all things well 
for you ; and that under an afTecling sense of your ob- 
ligations, you will be disposed to consecrate yourself, 
and your all, to his service and glory, so that you may 
live no longer to yourself, but entirely to the God of 
your mercies and salvation. From the tenor of your 
letter, I am led to hope and believe, that thus you are 
disposed and resolved, through grace, henceforth to live 
to the noblest and best of purposes, and worthy of the 
profession and hopes of a christian. 

But still "you fear, that you are only deceiving your- 
self with a name to live, while you may yet be dead; 
because you have not felt such convictions of the guilt 
and enormity of sin, as others appear to have done ; and 
you do not feel that affection and zeal, which you 
should do towards that blessed Saviour, who made such 
an inexpressible sacrifice for perishing sinners." 

Such fears and such complaints, my dear friend, are 
sooner or later, and in a greater or less degree, general- 
ly experienced by real penitents and sincere believers. 
The more, indeed, they see and feel the evil of sin, the 
more sensible are they of the disproportion of their hu- 
miliations and sorrows, to the evil which they really la- 
ment and abhor ; and the more clearly they perceive 
their infinite obligations to the dear Redeemer, to 
whom they are so deeply indebtedf the more defective 
and unworthy do they think those returns of gratitude, 
love and obedience, wilh which they would honor 
him. And remember, that an eminent part of the tri- 
als of christians consists in the conflicts of remaining 
corruptions, with the principles of grace implanted, and 
living, and still growing in the new-born soul of the real 



444 LETTERS. 

believer. Nor can they, cerfainlj, be aliogether 
strangers to the christian life, who can sincerely say 
with the apostle, " That which 1 do I allow not ; for 
■what I would that I do not ; but what I hate that I do," 
&c. Such is the frequent experience of the best of 
christians ; and this experience, though very painful in 
itself, is yet well adapted to empty them more and 
more of pride and self in every form, and to render the 
Saviour, who is the end of the law for righteousness to 
all believers, and in whom all fulness dwells, for the 
supply of all their wants, more and more precious 
to their souls. To him, then, resort with faith and 
prayer, and in him repose your trust, under all your dif- 
ficulties and discouragements ; and rest assured, that 
you will still find his grace sufficient for you, and his 
strength made perfect in your weakness, for the whole 
of the work and warfare to which he calls you. 

But 1 have already passed the bounds which I had 
prescribed to myself; and it seems to be almost super- 
fluous, if not indeed assuming in me, to have made the 
observations respecting your case which I have done ; 
or to have suggested hints of advice to you, who are al- 
ready so well instructed, and who have such excellent 
guides in the pious, judicious, and experienced authors, 
"whose wrilings you may daily peruse. 

Henry is an excellent commentator. But I would, 
in preference, recommend Scott to you, for your assist- 
ance in consulting the Sacred Oracles of God ; as the 
latter is not less, if not even more evangelical than the 
former, and his notes and practical observations are pe- 
culiarly instructive, interesting and impressive. 

In Newton's Works, especially in his letters, you 
will find such a plenty, and variety, and excellence of 



LETTERS. 445 

advice, admonition, consolation and encouragement, 
conveyed in the most pleasing and engaging language 
and manner, that yon will see reason enough for my be- 
ing ashamed of scrawling a line on any subject touch- 
ed by the hand of such a master, in ray communica- 
tions to any friend, who is possessed of his valuable 
volumes. One of ray subordinate inducements to- 
wards sending you the two volumes of his posthumous 
works, was rather of a selfish nature; 1 mean the 
expectation that such a present, considering how- 
much valuable and suitable instruction it contains, 
would have a tendency to preclude your asking any 
communications from my pen, sterile and sluggish, as I 
know it is, and as you will now feel it to be. I believe 
you have Buck's Miscellaneous Works : and his treatise 
on Religious experience, and Young Christian's Guide, 
you will find peculiarly worthy of your attention. 1 
wish you had also Scott's Theological Works. They 
are generally very valuable ; and his Essays on the 
leading doctrines and duties, &c. of Christianity, are 
pre-eminently excellent. But in recommending good 
books, it is difficult to know where to stop. Still, how- 
ever, let the inspired word of God be chiefly studied, 
with earnest prayer for the teaching of his spirit, by 
which alone it can become effectual, for making us wise 
unto salvation, through faith in Christ ; and profitable 
fo us for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in 
righteousness, and for furnishing us thoroughly unto all 
good works, and thus advancing us in our progress to- 
wards christian perfection. 

While I have been saying so much about books, I 
suppose you have been feeling, with a lively sensibili- 
ty, and therefore need not now be reminded by m^, 



446 LETTERS. 

how peculiarly thankful you ought (o be, to the God of 
your mercies, for having so graciously and so seasona- 
bly prepared, the dear wife of your bosom, the amiable 
and beloved partner of your soid, to be indeed an help- 
meet for you, and a most pleasant and useful compan- 
ion to you, in the christian as well as in the natural life. 

What a privilege, to be united in the bonds of the 
sure, well ordered, everlasting covenant of grace! 
What a blessing and happiness, to be prepared to dwell 
together as joint heirs of the grace of life, as mutual 
helpers of each other's faith and joy on earth, in the 
way to glory and felicity, complete and everlasting in 
the kingdom of heaven ! May the Lord establish his 
covenant with yon both, and build you up a sure house, 
and be indeed a God to you and your seed after you ; 
and more and ujore bless you both, together with the 
dear children which he has graciously given you and 
spared to you, and make you all blessings indeed to 
each other, for time and eternity ! 

Have you now at length sought the kingdom of God 
and his righteousness, in preference to all other things? 
May you not then hope, and with confidence believe, 
that all other things, needful and good for you, shall be 
added to you ? 

And if it would be best for you, the Lord you know, 
could easily bless your latter end, as he did that of Job, 
more than your beginning, with worldly good and crea- 
ture comforts ! But in bestowing on you his grace, he 
gives you the best blessings of his favour ; and his 
grace will most effectually teach you to be content with 
such things as you have of a worldly nature. 

I cannot but cherish the pleasing hope, that in (Itie 
time, the way may be opened for your return to Charles- 



LETTERS. 447 

ton, where your situation maj be more pleasant, and 
the sphere of your usefulness be much more enlarged, 
than it probably is at present. But your times and 
mine are in the Loid's hands. May he prepare us for 
all his appointments, and dispose and enable us to say, 
in all circumstances, the will of the Lord be done ! 

You have probably seen in the newspapers, the ad- 
vertisement respecting the design of forming a Bible So- 
ciety in this city. A meeting, in consequence, took 
place this day, at 1 o'clock P. M. in the Hall of the 
South Carolina Society, on Meeting-street, when and 
where were present, about sixty I believe, of the friends 
to this design ; and among these were several of our 
leading, influential characters, judges, lawyers, physi- 
cians, merchants, planters, &c. &c. Mr. Thomas 
Lowndes was called to the chair, and Mr. William H. 
Gibbes was the secretary, at this meeting. It was 
unanimously agreed, that a Bible Society should be es- 
tablished in this city, and that the persons present 
would, with others that may come into the measure, be 
members of it. A committee of seven was appointed 
to draught a constitution for the society, and to lay it 
before another meeting of the citizens, to be holden on 
Monday next. Thus far appearances are promising, in 
favour of this most charitable and important undertak- 
ing ; and it is hoped, that the smiles and the blessing of 
heaven, will crown it with success, and make the insti- 
tution a source of rich, of ev erlasting blessings to many, 
who, through the scriptures distributed by this charity, 
may be made wise unto salvation, through faith in our 
divine Redeemer. What can you, and your friends 
around you, do to help us, in doing the greatest good 
that we can do to our fellow mortals, by giving to 



448 LETTERS. 

those who want, and who would improve, that inesti- 
mably precious Book which contains the words of eter- 
nal life, and which alone shews to fallen, ruined, perish- 
ing men, the way of salvation ? 

From the length of this, you will readily perceive, 
that I do not calculate writing often to you. But be as- 
sured, that your communications to me, and the more 
frequent and particular they may be, the better, will al- 
ways be highly acceptable to me. 

In very affectionate regards and best wishes, to Mrs. 
S. and yourself, Mrs. K. cordially unites, with your 
sincere friend, 

ISAAC S. KEITH. 



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